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The  Play 
of 


Everyman 


Based  on  the  old  English  morality  play 
New  Version  by  Hugo  von  Hofmannsthal 
Set  to  blank  verse  by  George  Sterling 
In  collaboration  with  Richard  Ordynski 


A.  M.  Robertson 

San  Francisco 

1917 


A.  M.  Robertson 

San  Francisco, 

1917 


Copyright  by 

Richard  Ordynski 

January.  1917 

All  Right!  Reserved 


PREFACE 


It  is  to  Mr.  Richard  Ordynski  that  I  am  indebted 
for  the  privilege  and  pleasure  of  setting  to  English 
blank  verse  Hugo  von  Hofmannsthal's  version  of 
"that  play  of  all  time,"  "Everyman." 

"Everyman"  in  the  original  is  a  stiff  and  raw  fabric, 
but  destined,  perhaps,  to  outlast  many  a  more  gor- 
geous woof.  However,  one  needs  but  to  read  it  in  its 
English  form  to  realize  the  extent  to  which  von  Hof- 
mansthal  has  vivified  and  humanized  the  play,  adding 
thereto  powerfully  of  the  dramatic  and  emotional  ele- 
ments. The  appeal  of  "Everyman"  to  the  medieval 
mind  must  have  been  vast,  for  it  was  a  child's  mind, 
and  therefore  one  to  be  moved  far  more  greatly  by 
things  seen  than  by  things  preached.  But  though  the 
moral  pill  was  deftly  enough  sugar-coated  for  the 
audience  of  those  distant  days,  "Everyman"  can  but 
seem  a  somewhat  crude  and  unconvincing  affair  to  the 
pampered  and  sophisticated  public  of  today.  I  may 
perhaps  compare  it  to  the  stark  simplicity  of  a  board- 
walk, though  it  has,  for  that  matter,  all  the  directness 
of  such  a  structure,  what  of  its  deadly  sincerity.  But 
when,  over  fifteen  years  ago,  I  saw  the  leading  char- 
acter presented  by  an  actress  of  charm  and  talent,  it 
required  all  of  that  lady's  skill  to  hold  me  and  my 
friends. 

Von  Hofmannsthal  has  obviated  such  a  need,  and 
his  version  affords  an  agreeable  and  interesting  con- 
trast to  the  bleak  and  not  always  intelligible  passages 


of  the  elder  drama.  He  has,  as  it  were,  curved  and 
widened  the  walk,  given  it  vistas  and  a  decent  amount 
of  greenery,  and  all  this  without  losing  sight  of  his 
goal — a  goal  needed  no  less  by  the  man  of  today  than 
by  the  knight,  man-at-arms  or  peasant  of  old  years. 

He  followed  the  plan  of  the  English  "Everyman," 
with  its  rhymed  lines,  but  I  have  thought  it  better  to 
make  use  of  blank  verse,  the  breakable  lines  of  which 
lend  an  articulation,  flexibility  and  suspense  not  read- 
ily accessible  to  one  who  would  use  the  other  (and 
monotonous)  form.  Moreover,  following  Mr.  Ordyn- 
ski's  valuable  suggestions,  I  have  somewhat  amplified 
the  play  by  the  addition  of  the  characters  of  War  and 
a  Workman,  as  well  as  by  the  lines  in  which  the  Par- 
amour takes  her  leave  of  Everyman  and  those  in 
which  the  Debtor  and  the  Workman  assist  Good 
Deeds.  The  scene  of  the  Paramour's  departure  is  of 
especial  value,  I  think,  in  the  appeal  and  coherence  of 
the  play. 

GEORGE  STERLING. 
Los  Angeles,  Dec.  29th.  1916. 


Everyman 


Everyman 

CHARACTERS 

THE  PROLOGUE 

THE  LORD  GOD 
THE  ANGEL 
DEATH 
FAITH 

GOOD  DEEDS 
THE  DEVIL 

MAMMON 
WAR 

EVERYMAN 

EVERYMAN'S  MOTHER 
FRIEND 
PARAMOUR 
THE  THIN  COUSIN 
THE  FAT  COUSIN 
THE  STEWARD 
THE  COOK 

THE  POOR  NEIGHBOR 
THE  DEBTOR 
THE  DEBTOR'S  WIFE 
WORKMAN 

GUESTS 

SERVANTS 

BOYS 

MUSICIANS 

ANGELS 

A  MONK 


This  version    presented   for  the   first   time,  on 

January  9th  at  the  Trinity  Auditorium 

Los  Angeles,  California,  by 

Richard  Ordynski  and  Aline  Barnsdall 
with  the  following  cast. 

CHARACTERS 
The  Prologue  Marjorie  Day 

The  Voice  of  God 

Death  Clyde  McCoy 

The  Devil  Percival  Vivian 

Faith  Veda  McEvers 

Good  Deeds  Violette  Wilson 

War  Harold  Skinner 

Mammon  James  H.  Finlayson 

Everyman  Gareth  Hughes 

Everyman's  Mother  Kirah  Markham 

Friend  Irving  Pichel 

Paramour  Ann  Andrews 

The  Little  Cousin  Margaret  T.  All«n 

The  Fat  Cousin  Athol  Hayes 

The  Steward  Bruno  Schuman 

The  Cook  Miriam  Meredith 

A  Monk  Gordon  Thomas 

The  Poor  Neighbor  George  Warren 

The  Debtor  Ford  Tarpley 

The  Debtor's  Wife  Irene  Bevans 

Workman  Phillip  Gastrock 

A  Servant  George  Hackathorn 

Guests  The    Misses    Vemon.   Boike,    Burgner 

Collier,  Davis,  Holmes,  Ingham,  Moore, 
Rottman. 

Messrs.    McCullough,    Nieto,    Sleeper, 
Vickers. 

Servant*  Miss  LeClerq,  Miss  Lee,  Mr.  Williams 

Officers  Mr.  Curran,  Mr.  James 

Pages  Miss  Riley,  Miss  Dunaway 

Musicians  Miss  Margrage,     Miss  Barnes 

Angels  Miss  Goodall.  Miss  Hopkins, 

Miss  Michaels,  Miss  Price 


Everyman 


PROLOGUE 


Listen,  good  people,  to  this  holy  play ; 
'Tis  a  performance  for  the  rich  and  poor. 
The  small,  the  great,  the  children  and  the  old; 
And  you  shall  learn  that  earthly  days  and  deeds 
Are  frail  as  they  are  fleeting.     You  shall  see 
When  and  through  whom  the  final  summons  came 
To  one,  like  you,  a  mortal.     So  take  heed 
And  treasure  in  your  hearts  the  lesson  here. 
Which  we,  in  all  simplicity,  will  show. 
Secure  you  sit  to-day,  who  shall  one  day 
Go  forth  on  that  same  road  as  EVERYMAN. 

THE  LORD  GOD 

O  men!  vile  men!  how  long  shall  I  endure 
The  hardness  of  your  hearts?     Forgetting  Me, 
Dreading  Me  not,  ye  live  the  lives  of  beasts. 
Basely  sin-soaked,  blind  to  My  light  and  law. 
And  know  Me  not — your  God.     The  world  alone 
Enthralls  you.     Heavenly  things  beget  your  scorn. 
The  bond  between  My  majesty  and  you 
Ye  have  forgotten — that  I  gave  My  blood. 
Dying  upon  the  Tree  that  men  might  live, — 
That  I  was  nailed  upon  a  martyr's  cross, — 
That  cruel  thorns  were  woven  for  my  crown, — 
That  I  gave  all  to  you.     Now  all  my  laws 
Ye  break.     But  swiftly  shall  my  judgment  come 
On  sinful  man.     Unerring  messenger! 


io  EVERYMAN 

Stand  forth!     I  have  a  journey  for  thee,  Death. 
DEATH: 

Almighty  God,  behold  thy  servant!  Say 
What  duty  waits,  that  I  may  serve  Thy  will. 

THE  LORD  GOD 

Go  thou  to  Everyman  and  say  that  he 
Must  make  a  pilgrimage  upon  this  day 
And  hour — a  journey  he  shall  not  escape. 
See  that  he  brings  his  book  of  reckoning. 
And  that  he  neither  tarries  nor  escapes. 

DEATH 

Lord,  I  will  roam  this  whole  great  earth  of  Thine, 
Relentlessly,  and  seek  out  small  and  great — 
All  men  that  cherish  Thy  commandments  not, 
But  lower  than  the  beasts  have  sunk.     All  hearts 
Given  to  earthly  joys  my  spear  shall  pierce, 
And  blinded,  they  shall  find  not  Heaven's  gate. 
Ill  shall  it  be  with  him  on  that  dread  day. 
Whom  Faith  and  Charity  do  not  befriend! 

EVERYMAN: 

(Steps  forth  from  his  house,  a  Servant  following.) 
Haste  to  my  steward.    I  have  word  for  him. 

(The  Servant  returns  to  the  house.) 
How  pleasant  is  my  home  to  look  upon! 
How  costly  and  how  prominent!    Show  me 
Another  one  as  rich  in  all  the  land! 
What  wealth  of  furnishings  in  many  rooms! 
What  coffers  and  what  retinue  of  serfs ! 


EVERYMAN  n 

Money  besides  is  mine,  and  country  seats, 
And  fertile  farms  that  bring  me  goodly  rents. 
My  factories,  aroar  with  all  their  wheels. 
Bellow  at  dawn  to  summon  to  their  tasks 
Unnumbered  men.     And  deep  in  many  mines 
My  toilers  sweat,  far  from  the  wholesome  day. 
Oh,  be  my  future  happy  as  my  past! 

(Enter  STEWARD.) 

Steward,  go  bring  a  well-filled  bag  of  gold. 
For  I  forgot  it.     Mark  you  this  besides: 
A  splendid  feast  I  order  for  to-day: 
Kindred  and  guests  are  coming.     Send  the  cook, 
And  bring  the  gold  yourself. 

(Steward  goes  within.      Cool?  enters  at  once.) 

Cook,  I  command 
A  sumptuous  feast  to-day. 

COOK: 

Must  every  course. 
Then,  be  prepared  afresh? 

EVERYMAN: 

Plague  take  you,  yes! 
Nothing  warmed-over  for  a  board  like  mine! 

COOK: 

From  yesterday  at  least  enough  remains 
For  two  cold  courses. 

EVERYMAN: 
Dolt !     Impertinent ! 


la  EVERYMAN 

Shall  I  eat  beggars'  food> 

(Coofc  goes  within.    Steward  appears.    Gr've*  bag  to 
Everyman. ) 

See  that  you  keep 

Strict  watch  on  all  the  servants,  man  and  maid. 
They  please  me  not  at  all. 

(The  POOR  NEIGHBOR  appears,  approaching  anx- 
iously. EVERYMAN'S  FRIEND  also  approaches, 
with  qulclf  steps.) 

It  is  for  that 

I've  set  you  o'er  the  rest.     But  go!  here  comes 
My  friend. 

(Exit  Steward.) 

You've  made  me  wait  too  long.     But  now 
We'll  go  and  see  that  property  beyond 
The  city  gates.     I  think  it  could  be  made 
A  pleasure-garden. 

FRIEND: 

Order  and  'tis  done! 
He  who  can  pay,  needs  only  say! 

POOR  NEIGHBOR: 

Kind  sir. 

Is  this  the  house  of  wealthy  Everyman? 
O  sir!    I  beg  you  in  my  poverty! 
Give  alms  to  a  poor  man! 

FRIEND: 

(To  Everyman.) 

Now,  as  I  said, 
We  must  make  haste:  we  cannot  linger  long. 


EVERYMAN  13 

POOR  NEIGHBOR: 

(Stretches  his  hands  beseechingly.) 

0  Everyman!  have  pity! 

FRIEND: 

Do  you  not 
Recall  his  face? 

EVERYMAN: 

I?    Who  is  he? 

POOR  NEIGHBOR: 

I  stretch 

My  hands  to  you,  O  Everyman !  for  I 
Knew  better  days,  and  was  your  neighbor  once, 
Before  they  took  my  home  away  from  me. 

EVERYMAN: 

(Giving  him  a  coin.) 
Enough ! 

POOR  NEIGHBOR: 

(Does  not  ta^e  coin.) 
A  stingy  offering! 

EVERYMAN: 

Say  you  so? 
Odds  truth! 

POOR  NEIGHBOR: 

Had  I  a  brother's  share  therefrom, 

1  should  be  well  and  happy. 


14  EVERYMAN 

EVERYMAN: 

You?     Therefrom? 
POOR  NEIGHBOR: 

Because  of  this,  O  Everyman!     I  kneel 
Before  you.     Do  but  share  that  bag  with  me! 

EVERYMAN: 

(Laughs) 
Merely  that? 

FRIEND: 

What  a  man  has,  he  keeps  a  grip  upon; 
You'd  have  a  thousand  beggars  round  your  neck, 
Elsewise.     A  hundred  thousand! 

POOR  NEIGHBOR: 

But  you  are 

So  rich!    Why,  if  you  gave  me  half  the  purse. 
You'd  still  have  all  the  coffers  in  your  house. 
And  rents  and  interest. 

EVERYMAN: 

Man,  who  are  you 

That  you  should  prate  of  coffers  and  of  rents 
Or  of  my  income? 

FRIEND: 

I  should  be  ashamed! 
EVERYMAN: 
Quit,  man !     For  you  are  greatly  in  the  wrong, 


EVERYMAN  15 

If  still  you  dream  that  I  could  please  myself 
In  sharing  this  with  you.     'Tis  mine  no  more, 
But  must  be  paid  to-day  as  purchase-price 
Upon  a  pleasure-garden.     So  'tis  pledged, 
And  he  who  sells  the  garden  will  not  wait. 

POOR  NEIGHBOR: 

Well,  pay  him  every  penny.     You  have  but 
To  say  a  word  and  they  will  bring  you  more; 
For  if  you  have  one  purse,  you  must  have  ten. 
Send  quickly  for  another  now,  and  share 
This  purse  with  me,  if  you're  a  Christian  man! 

EVERYMAN: 

And  were  another  brought,  'twould  not  be  free. 

In  this  hard  battle  against  death  and  sin, 

Still  must  my  money  toil  for  me,  must  still 

Go  far  afield,  and  send  back  interest, 

That  all  my  dues  be  mine  indeed.     Behold! 

My  houses  cost  me  greatly,  what  of  horse 

And  hound  and  servants  and  a  thousand  things 

That  are  in  keeping  with  my  state;  for  I 

Have  pleasure-gardens,  fish  ponds,  game-preserves, 

That  need  more  looking-after  than  a  child. 

One  must  improve  estates,  and  where  so  much 

Goes  out,  the  more  there  must  be  to  come  back. 

Oh!  easily  'tis  said,  "That  man  is  rich." 

But  have  you  thought  what  cares  we  rich  men  have? 

From  far  and  near  come  flowing  claims  and  needs. 

So  that  one  cannot  cross  the  street  but  what 

One  meets  an  outstretched  hand.     Well,  even  that 

One  must  expect,  but  still,  no  pampering! 


16  EVERYMAN 

Things  must  be  done  just  so,  for  there  are  rules. 
Let  poor  as  well  as  rich  observe.     To  each 
His  own:  this  law  the  beggar  violates. 
For  look  you:  were  I  to  divide  my  wealth 
Among  the  needy,  there  would  be  for  each 
I  swear,  this  single  shilling,  this  one  coin! 
Take  then  your  own  just  portion,  man,  and  go! 
(Neighbor  takes  $hilling  and  goes.) 

FRIEND: 

You  gave  him  what  was  just.     Money,  God  knows, 
Makes  brains! 

EVERYMAN: 

Come,  let  us  hasten,  for  the  day  grows  old. 
(Enter  DEBTOR,  led  by  TWO  OFFICERS,  and  fol- 
lowed by  WIFE  and  CHILDREN,  in  rags.) 

FRIEND: 

What  mother's  son  is  this  they  hale  along, 
Arms  crossed?     A  debtors'  prison  is  his  goal, 
No  doubt.     Uncareful  one!     Now  he'll  have  time 
On  bread  and  water  to  consider  things, 
Or  hang  his  wretched  carcass  on  a  nail. 
You  tried  to  make  a  rhyming  game  of  life: 
Lending  and  spending  rhyme  too  well,  you  see! 

DEBTOR: 

One  must  have  care  with  life's  broad  ledger,  else 
The  account  goes  wrong. 

EVERYMAN: 

Now  whom  have  you  in  mind? 


EVERYMAN  17 

DEBTOR: 

The  one  who  asks. 

EVERYMAN: 

I  do  not  even  know 
Whom  you  may  take  me  for. 

DEBTOR: 

Shame  would  be  mine, 
If  I  were  in  your  shoes! 

EVERYMAN: 

You  give  hard  words 

Without  good  cause.     If  life's  awry  with  you, 
Am  I  to  blame? 

DEBTOR: 

What  flinty  words  are  these, 
For  mine  that  are  so  soft! 

EVERYMAN: 

Who  deals  you  them? 
DEBTOR: 
You,  in  an  evil  hour! 

EVERYMAN: 

I  know  you  not, 
Even  by  sight! 

DEBTOR: 

Nevertheless  your  heel 
Is  on  my  neck. 


1 8  EVERYMAN 

EVERYMAN: 

That  were  a  strange  event, 
And  I  unwitting  of  it! 

DEBTOR: 

Yet  your  name 
Brings  me  to  jail. 

EVERYMAN: 

Now  by  my  patron  Saint, 
How  can  this  be? 

DEBTOR: 

You  are  that  Everyman 

At  whose  complaint  the  law  lays  hold  on  me; 
I  were  not  dragged  to  prison  save  for  you. 

EVERYMAN: 

(Becoming  reserved) 
I,  innocent,  wash  now  my  hands  of  this. 

DEBTOR: 

These  serviceable  tools  believe  that  they 

Harry  my  flesh  and  soul,  but  it  is  you 

Whose  will  they  work.     You  bring  this  shame  on  you. 

And  should  feel  humbled  to  the  very  ground. 

EVERYMAN: 

Why,  in  the  first  place,  got  you  into  debt? 
You  reap  but  what  you  sow.     My  money  has 
No  eyes.     It  works  without  regard  to  you 
Or  even  me.     Your  only  just  complaint 


EVERYMAN  19 

Is  that  you  were  unready  when  the  debt 
Fell  due. 

DEBTOR: 

He  jeers  and  mocks  at  my  despair. 
So,  that  is  to  be  rich!     The  heart  of  such 
Knows  naught  of  God's  commands.     His  coffers  hold 
The  pledges  of  the  poor,  yet  does  he  keep 
The  poor  in  neediness  and  misery! 

DEBTOR'S  WIFE: 

Be  merciful!     Tear  up  the  accursed  pledge, 
Nor  send  my  children's  father  to  a  jail! 
They  never  did  you  harm.     Have  you,  alas! 
No  honor  and  no  conscience?     Can  you,  then, 
List  to  the  orphan's  curse  unmoved?     Do  you 
Think  not  on  that  more  dreadful  Book  of  Debts 
That  opens  when  life  ends? 

EVERYMAN: 

Woman,  you  prate 

Of  things  beyond  your  understanding.     This 
I  do  not  out  of  malice;  care  and  thought 
Were  given  ere  we  ordered  this  complaint. 
Why,  money  is  the  same  as  other  goods, 
And  has  an  equal  right  before  the  law. 

FRIEND: 
111  were  it  with  the  world  were  things  not  so! 

DEBTOR'S  WIFE: 
But  money  is  mere  metal  that  we  grant 


ao  EVERYMAN 

In  mercy  as  a  loan  to  fellow-men. 

DEBTOR: 

Money  is  not  at  all  as  other  goods. 

'Tis  curst  and  magical,  and  he  whose  hand 

Reaches  for  it  shall  close  upon  disgrace 

And  harm  immedicable  to  his  soul. 

The  name  of  Satan's  net  in  this  sad  world 

Is  money. 

EVERYMAN: 

What  a  slanderous  fool  you  are! 
You  do  not  know  my  use  to  fellow-men. 
You  feign  a  scorn  of  money,  yet  it  is 
A  godly  thing  to  you.     You  say  'tis  naught; 
But  you  are  like  the  fox  that  cried,  "Sour  grapes!" 
He  who  belittles  what  is  not  his  own 
Finds  no  believers  in  his  honesty. 

DEBTOR: 

This  my  misfortune  grants  me — that  I  see 
The  devil's  trap,  and  loose  my  soul  from  it. 
From  money's  trap. 

FRIEND: 

Loosed  are  you  from  that  trap. 
And  for  that  freedom  all  your  freedom  lose. 

EVERYMAN: 

He  who  invented  money  was  most  wise. 
Believe  me.     Money  lifts  the  world  above 
AH  mean  exchange  and  barter,  and  each  man 


EVERYMAN  ai 

In  his  own  sphere  is  as  a  lesser  God. 
Through  money  he  does  much;  and  quietly. 
With  small  a-do,  he  rules  a  hundred  lands. 
Being  regent  of  them  all.     And  naught  so  high 
Or  swift  that  money  cannot  compass  it. 
It  buys  the  land  and  all  the  serfs  thereon — 
This  by  the  precious  and  eternal  right. 
Ordained  by  Christ,  of  our  great  Emperor. 
Yea!  that,  for  money,  one  may  ever  buy! 
Beyond  this  power  I  know  no  other  power. 
And  all  men  must  bow  down  in  reverence 
To  what  I  hold  before  you  in  this  hand. 

DEBTOR'S  WIFE: 

Swift  in  the  devil's  praises!     Man,  your  jaw 
Works  like  a  preacher's!    Mammon's  filthy  purse 
You  honor  as  a  holy  Tabernacle! 

EVERYMAN: 

Honor  where  honor's  due!     I  blaspheme  not 
The  power  I  feel  existant. 

FRIEND: 

Enough ! 

DEBTOR: 

(As  officers  ta^c  him  aivap) 

My  own,  my  dearest  wife, 

Of  what  avail  your  weeping?     Mammon's  claws 
Sink  in  my  soul.     Why  gave  I  him  my  life? 
Now  life  is  over. 

(They  ta^e  him  att>aj>.) 


33  EVERYMAN 

DEBTOR'S  WIFE: 

Stand  you  there  like  stones? 
Is't  possible?     Where  shall  I  shelter  now 
My  children? 

EVERYMAN: 

(To  Friend) 
For  my  sake  go  quietly 
And  look  into  this  matter.     The  man  goes 
To  prison:  there's  no  help  for  that.     But  I 
Will  grant  the  wife  a  shelter.     What  she  needs 
For  mere  existence — she  and  her  small  brood — 
I'll  give  her,  through  my  steward.     They  shall  go 
Into  seclusion,  where  I  cannot  hear 
Her  wails,  nor  know  the  fullness  of  her  need, 
For  such  things  are  disgusting.     So  it  goes: 
One  lives  on  quietly  and  decently. 
With  nothing  very  bad  upon  one's  mind. 
Then  all  at  once  one  finds  the  devil  to  pay: 
You're  in  a  mess,  not  even  knowing  why! 
Why  should  my  sweet  tranquillity  be  spoiled 
And  I  dragged  into  this  vile  quarrel — mixt 
With  this  gaunt  rogue's  misfortune?     He  has  made 
His  bed:  now  let  him  lie  in  it!    He  cries 
"Oh!"  and  "Alas!"    Just  so  B  follows  A. 
What  then  did  he  expect?     It  has  been  so 
Since  Adam's  time:  it  is  no  modern  thing. 
On  the  shoulders  of  his  very  creditor 
He  wants  to  pile  his  burden!      But  I  say 
Endurance,  patience,  gave  me  power  to  lend. 
He  took  my  money  swift  enough,  and  now 
He  calls  me  "devil!"     Honestly,  I  say. 


EVERYMAN  23 

It  wearies  me!    But  twilight's  on  the  land. 
And  we  have  still  the  pleasure-park  to  see. 
Do  me  a  favor,  friend,  and  that  at  once: 
Make  the  first  payment  for  me,  since  delay 
Means  trouble.     I  desire  this  pleasure-park 
And  house  thereon  for  a  sweetheart  of  mine: 
It  soon  will  be  her  birthday. 

FRIEND: 

Shall  I  find 

Her  with  you  in  the  evening?     Well,  I'll  bring 
The  bill  of  sale  there,  duly  made  to  your 
Instructions. 

EVERYMAN: 

Many  thanks,  good  friend!  They  urge 
That  I  come  quickly.     'Tis  the  only  place 
In  all  the  world  where  nothing  galls  my  bliss. 
The  love  she  brings  is  perfect  happiness: 
So  would  I  bind  her  with  this  birthday  gift, 
That  each  may  see  the  other's  gratitude 
Revealed  as  by  twin  mirrors. 

FRIEND: 

In  what  way 
Will  you  do  this? 

EVERYMAN: 

I  shall  make  speedily  the  garden,  then 
Place  midmost  there  a  lordly  pleasure-house. 
This  I  shall  build  after  my  own  design, 
Half-open  to  the  airs,  with  onyx  shafts. 
Fountains  and  lovely  bronzes  shall  be  there, 


34  EVERYMAN 

And  dawn  and  twilight  from  surrounding  lawns 

Shall  waft  the  fragrance  of  unnumbered  flow'rs. 

Carnation,  rose  and  lily  shall  abound, 

And  wall  and  arch  of  woven  greenery, 

Where  even  by  noon's  heat  shall  we  find  shade — 

Hidden  from  sunlight  in  that  peaceful  place. 

There  too,  in  closes  sheltered  from  the  wind. 

And  girt  with  flowers,  a  statue  shall  be  set. 

Gazing  forever  in  a  brimming  pool 

That  flows  from  marble  water-cool  and  smooth — 

The  rippling  bed  of  crystal  for  a  nymph. 

FRIEND: 

Be  sure  that  this  will  be  a  costly  thing. 
Nor  shall  its  like  be  found  with  ease. 

EVERYMAN: 

I  will 

Present  it  to  my  dearest  one,  and  take 
Her  hands  in  mine,  and  lead  her  to  the  spot. 
There  in  that  lovely  garden  shall  she  see 
Her  mirrored  face,  she  who  delights  me  so, 
Even  as  such  a  garden,  with  its  warmth 
And  gracious  shade. 

(WORKMAN   approaches.) 

FRIEND: 

But  see  that  sorry  knave! 
He  spoils  the  very  air!    Will  you  permit 
Such  creatures  in  your  presence? 

WORKMAN 

Everyman ! 


EVERYMAN  35 

Great  master,  Everyman!  give  ear  to  me 
A  little,  I  beseech  you!  Heavy  toil 
Has  stolen  youth  and  grace  from  me,  but  I 
Am  still  your  fellow  man. 

EVERYMAN: 

What  would  you  here? 

WORKMAN 

Age  comes  upon  me,  and  my  hand  grows  slow. 
My  labor  is  too  much  for  me.     From  dawn 
To  dark  I  slave  for  you,  as  I  have  slaved 
Since  boyhood.     Grant  a  pittance  for  mine  age. 
And  rest  from  labor  in  a  humble  cot. 
Far  from  the  city's  noise  and  smoke! 

EVERYMAN: 

Get  hence! 

Back  to  your  toil !     So  long  as  you  have  strength. 
That  long  shall  I  have  need  of  all  your  days. 
These  laborers!      For  what,  think  you,  am  I 
Set  over  you  by  justice  and  the  Lord? 
Unless  there  be  a  master,  who  shall  toil? 
Unless  you  toil,  our  scheme  of  life  dissolves. 
And  all's  confusion!   From  your  myriad  tasks 
Spring  art  and  science  and  all  pleasant  things — 
Wisdom  and  beauty  and  all  human  ease. 
God  grant  I  blot  no  instant  of  your  work! 

WORKMAN 

Your  yoke  is  very  heavy.     Know  you  not 
How  hard  a  thing  it  is  to  sweat  and  toil 


36  EVERYMAN 

A  whole  life  through,  and  find  when  age  has  come 
An  empty  larder  and  a  fireless  hearth? 
We  are  as  buffers  between  you  and  pain. 
Enduring  heat  and  cold  and  weariness, 
That  heat  and  cold  and  weariness  be  not 
Your  portion.     At  the  banquet-board  of  life 
Gorge  not  yourselves:  we  too  would  eat  the  bread 
Our  hands  have  earned.     Be  mindful  of  our  need. 
We  ask  so  little  and  we  give  so  much! 

EVERYMAN: 

Continue  then,  to  give!  It  well  may  be 
That  in  the  future  better  things  shall  come, 
And  briefer  toil  be  yours.     But  I  am  set 
Lord  of  to-day,  and  see  no  present  need 
To  abate  the  labor.     Get  you  to  your  task! 

WORKMAN: 

God  grant  you  clearer  sight  and  kinder  heart! 

(Exit  Workman.) 
(Lullaby  music  is  heard.) 

EVERYMAN: 

What  is  it  that  I  hear?    What  simple  strains 
Are  those?     The  cradle  music  of  old  years 
Hides  me  a  moment  from  the  moment's  care. 
I  seem  a  child  again  and  hear  once  more 
Forgotten  accents.     Holy  memories 
Bring  to  my  heart  a  mother's  tenderness. 
But  say,  can  this  be  she?     I've  little  time, 
Yet  really  do  not  like  to  run  away. 


EVERYMAN  27 

EVERYMAN'S  MOTHER: 
(Entering. ) 

Oh !  I  rejoice,  my  dear  and  only  son. 
To  see  you  here!    My  heart  has  been  full  sore 
To  see  your  own  so  set  on  worldly  things, 
And  with  so  little  time  for  me. 

EVERYMAN: 

Night  air 

Is  treacherous,  dear  mother,  and  your  health 
So  delicate!     It  troubles  me  to  see 
You  out-of-doors:  is  not  in-doors  the  best? 

EVERYMAN'S  MOTHER: 
And  will  you  come  and  stay  with  me? 

EVERYMAN'S  MOTHER: 

To-night 
I  cannot. 

EVERYMAN'S  MOTHER: 

Do  not  let  it  vex  you,  then, 
That  I  should  keep  you  by  the  wayside. 

EVERYMAN: 

Ah! 

My  only  thought  is  of  your  health.     Perhaps 
Another  time  were  better. 

EVERYMAN'S  MOTHER: 

Do  not  mind 
About  my  health:    I've  one  foot  in  the  grave. 


28  EVERYMAN 

I  care  not  for  the  present,  but  for  my 
Salvation  everlasting.     Nay!  frown  not. 
My  son,  at  this  my  preachment.     Would  it,  then. 
Be  burdensome  if  I  should  question  you 
Whether  your  soul  is  dedicate  to  God? 
You  step  back  with  impatience,  and  increase 
Your  sins  of  conscience,  who  should  rather  look 
Within,  and  meekly  see  your  God  aright. 
Think !  if  a  message  came  from  Him  to  you. 
Ere  morning,  with  the  summons  that  you  go 
And  render  the  account  of  all  your  life 
Before  the  terrors  of  His  judgment-seat! 

EVERYMAN: 

My  mother,  I  have  no  intent  to  jeer. 

Though  knowing  how  priests  love  to  threaten  us. 

'Tis  their  one  earthly  aim,  to  rail  against 

Our  money,  that  that  money  may  be  theirs. 

How  well  they  know  to  grasp  it!     It  is  grief, 

Recalling  how  they  fill  the  hoary  heads 

Of  old  sick  folk  with  dark  and  gloomy  thoughts. 

EVERYMAN'S  MOTHER: 

Darkness  is  otherwhere!    Such  thoughts  are  light — 

Oh!  brightest  radiance!    The  righteous  man 

Has  courage  from  the  issues  of  this  life 

And  pure  rejoicing  at  the  hour  of  death. 

Becoming  then  aware  of  happiness. 

If  sons  would  think  of  their  last  hour,  the  hearts 

Of  mothers  were  less  burdened  down  with  woe. 


EVERYMAN  ag 

EVERYMAN: 

We  are  good  Christians,  for  we  go  to  church, 
Give  alms,  and  do  our  duty. 

EVERYMAN'S  MOTHER: 

How  shall  it  be 

When  the  last  trumpet  sounds,  and  you  must  give 
Such  strict  account  as  shows  your  wealth  has  bought 
Eternal  death  or  else  eternal  life? 
My  son,  it  is  a  grievous  thing  to  die, 
But  a  more  grievous  thing  to  die  forever. 

EVERYMAN: 

I  still  am  young,  and  is  it  likely  then 
That  I  shall  say  farewell  to  earthly  joys? 

EVERYMAN'S  MOTHER: 

And  will  you  bury  in  the  sand  your  head, 

To  hide  the  sight  of  Death's  approach,  my  son? 

Lo!  he  may  come  to-morrow! 

EVERYMAN: 

I  am  fresh 

In  heart  and  limb,  and  will  enjoy  to-day. 
Penance  and  meditation  well  may  wait 
A  time  more  fitting. 

EVERYMAN'S  MOTHER: 

Like  the  shifting  sand 
Life  changes;  but  the  mind  is  slow  to  change. 


30  EVERYMAN 

EVERYMAN: 

What  doleful  talk!    I  have  no  time  to-day, 
As  I've  already  told  you. 

EVERYMAN'S  MOTHER: 
My  dear  son! 
EVERYMAN: 

But  otherwise  I  am  obedient, 
And  at  your  service. 

EVERYMAN'S  MOTHER: 

Ah!  my  talk  is  sad 

To  you,  which  makes  it  doubly  hard  to  me. 
I  have  a  dark  presentiment,  my  son, 
I  shall  not  trouble  you  for  many  days 
With  admonitions.     I  shall  burden  you 
But  little  longer.     Soon  the  last  farewell 
Must  pass  between  us  two.     You  will  remain 
Behind,  my  child  who  would  not  heed  advice. 
And  so  I  say  I  do  not  wish  to  preach — 
Be  sure  of  that.      But  ah!  to  your  Lord  God 
Be  grateful,  for  his  mercy,  and  the  seven 
Great  holy  sacraments.     Each  is  our  aid, 
And  we  so  weak!    So  marvellous  their  help 
On  the  uncertain  journey  of  this  life! 

EVERYMAN: 
What  would  you  that  I  do? 

EVERYMAN'S  MOTHER: 

My  son,  you  are 


EVERYMAN  31 

A  comely  man,  fit  for  a  woman's  love. 

Our  Saviour  knows  man's  needs,  and  knows  as  well 

To  shape  the  common  things  of  earth  to  man's 

Salvation.     He  has  made  a  sacrament 

To  turn  the  lust  of  man  to  holiness. 

Will  you,  to  serve  that  lust,  estrange  yourself 

From  holy  matrimony? 

EVERYMAN: 

Oh!  I've  heard 

All  that  before! 

EVERYMAN'S  MOTHER: 

And  is  your  heart  unchanged? 
EVERYMAN: 
The  right  time  has  not  come  for  it. 

EVERYMAN'S  MOTHER: 

And  yet 
Death  is  so  near  already ! 

EVERYMAN: 

Well,  I  don't 
Say  "no."     Nor,  for  that  matter,  "yes." 

EVERYMAN'S  MOTHER: 

Sol 
Must  live  my  life  in  fear? 

EVERYMAN: 

Well,  as  to  that, 
To-morrow  is  another  day. 


3»  EVERYMAN 

EVERYMAN'S  MOTHER: 

Who  knows 
If  he  will  see  it? 

EVERYMAN: 

Trouble  not  yourself; 
You'll  see  me  married  yet. 

EVERYMAN'S  MOTHER: 

My  dearest  son. 

For  those  words  will  I  bless  you  evermore! 
Ah!  how  I  thank  you,  and  rejoice  that  such 
Fair  words  are  on  your  lips ! 

EVERYMAN: 

Nor  do  I  speak 
In  idle  chatter. 

EVERYMAN'S  MOTHER: 

God  be  praised  your  will 
Is  not  against  this  thing!    A  little  word 
Can  fill  a  mother's  heart  with  happiness; 
And  though  your  good  intentions  are  but  weak. 
Yet  are  they  good,  not  evil,  and  your  speech 
Has  lifted  from  my  mind  a  heavy  load. 

EVERYMAN: 

Good-night,  then,  mother  mine,  and  gentle  sleep 
Be  yours! 

EVERYMAN'S  MOTHER: 
Good-night  to  you,  my  darling  son! 


EVERYMAN  33 

Your  words  are  as  a  music  in  my  heart 

More  beautiful  than  flutes  and  tender  chime 

Of  silvern  cymbals.     In  these  latter  days 

Strange  sights  and  signs  are  with  me.     These  I  take 

To  be  a  portent  of  my  early  death. 

(Eat) 
EVERYMAN: 

Why,  I  too  hear  a  music  such  as  that! 

Shall  I  too  have  that  portent?      Nay — I  think 

The  cause  is  natural,  though  to  me  unknown. 

Yet  now  it  falls  not  only  on  the  ear 

But  on  the  eye. 

(PARAMOUR  comes  on,  accompanied  by  players  and 

boys  carrying  torches.) 

Oh!  'tis  my  light  o'  love! 
My  heart  is  hot  for  her.     Musicians  too! 
This  is  a  merry  crowd  that  comes  for  me! 

PARAMOUR: 

The  one  who  makes  us  wait  becomes  by  that 

The  worthiest  guest.     With  cymbal  and  with  torch 

We'll  have  to  lead  him  to  his  duty. 

EVERYMAN: 

You 

Dim  all  the  torches  with  your  own  fair  light! 
Sweeter  your  voice  than  any  flute!    To-night 
All  this  is  like  soft  balsam  to  a  wound. 

PARAMOUR: 
It  seemed  to  me,  before  I  drew  so  near, 


34  EVERYMAN 

Another  one  had  grieved  you,  and  your  brow 
And  your  bright  cheeks  were  clouded  as  with  pain. 

EVERYMAN: 

Oh!  am  I  then  so  dear  to  you,  my  Sweet, 
That  you  have  eyes  for  this?     I  can  but  feel, 
So  madly  have  I  lived  in  my  few  years, 
I  should  seem  old  and  broken  in  your  sight. 

PARAMOUR: 

You  wound  me  by  such  words!     I  had  not  thought 
You  could  say  that.     I  hate  these  callow  youths. 
You  are  my  lover  and  my  darling  one! 

EVERYMAN: 

At  heart  I  feel  as  young  as  any  youth, 
And,  if  a  boy  no  longer,  all  the  more 
Is  my  free  spirit  young  and  sensitive. 

PARAMOUR: 

A  youth  is  raw,  loves  crudely,  but  a  man 
Is  gentle  and  great-hearted.     So  he  draws 
All  women  to  him  by  his  tenderness 
And  poise  of  soul. 

EVERYMAN: 

Had  one  his  death  in  mind, 
And,  sunk  in  melancholy,  should  behold 
Your  loveliness,  he'd  pity  his  own  pain. 

PARAMOUR: 
The  very  word  affrights!    Ah!    Death  is  like 


EVERYMAN  3$ 

A  wicked  serpent  hidden  under  flow'rs. 
Never  let  it  be  wakened! 

EVERYMAN: 

Love,  do  I 

Bring  sorrow  to  you?    Let  us  bury  it 
In  flowers,  nor  have  a  serpent  in  our  thoughts. 
And  yet  two  serpents  sweetly  may  embrace. 

PARAMOUR: 

Serpents  embrace?     And  who,  then,  may  they  be? 
EVERYMAN: 

Your  two  dear  arms  wherein  I  long  to  rest! 

(She  kisses  him  and  places  on  his  head  a  gay  wreath  that 
a  boy  hands  her.  Other  boys  go  by  strewing  flowers 
and  sweet-scented  herbs.  A  table  comes  up  through 
the  floor,  lighted  and  richly  covered.  Everyman  and 
Paramour  go  to  the  staircase  that  leads  upward.  The 
guests,  ten  youths  and  ten  maidens,  enter  from  both 
sides,  dancing  and  singing.) 

FIRST  SINGER: 

A  friend  invites  us,  Everyman  his  name. 
A  right  good  sort  he  is,  and  has  as  well 
A  loving  sweetheart.     Loneliness  he  hates, 
So  bids  us  here,  and  merrily  we  come. 
Now  sing  we  one  and  all,  my  comrades  brave! 
(They  sing.) 

SONG 
A  thousand  flowers  to  crown  the  feast. 


36  EVERYMAN 

And  laughter  evermore! 
Sing  till  the  sun  is  in  the  East, 
For  Love  is  at  the  door! 

Bring  golden  wine  and  ruddy  wine 

To  brim  our  glasses  o'er! 
Let  joy  be  yours  and  joy  be  mine, 

For  Love  is  at  the  door! 

A  toast  to  you,  companions  dear, 

And  bliss  unknown  before ! 
Farewell  to  care,  farewell  to  fear, 

For  Love  is  at  the  door! 

EVERYMAN: 

Welcome  to  all,  for  all  can  show  me  soon 
The  last  funereal  honors! 

A  MAIDEN: 

What  a  way 
To  welcome  us! 

FAT  COUSIN: 

Confound  it,  Everyman, 

What  sort  of  greeting  call  you  this?    Saint  Pan! 
What  ails  you? 

PARAMOUR: 
What's  your  trouble,  dear? 

EVERYMAN: 

The  mood 

Came  on  me  for  no  reason.     Heartily 
I  welcome  you! 


EVERYMAN 

(A  clash  of  steel  is  heard  and  WAR  enters.) 
Who's  here? 

WAR: 

Come  now  with  me 

O  Everyman !    I've  other  work  for  you 
Than  love  and  feasting. 

EVERYMAN: 
Tell  me  more. 

WAR: 

The  king 

Has  planned  a  war  and  needs  you  in  his  ranks. 
Come  quickly;  bid  farewell  to  home  and  kin! 

FAT  COUSIN: 
Why  break  our  peaceful  days? 

WAR: 

Peace  makes  you  fat. 
THIN  COUSIN: 

What!  Would  you  mar  our  dear  prosperity, 
And  we  so  comfortable? 

WAR: 

All  things  end! 
War  follows  upon  peace  as  peace  on  war! 

EVERYMAN: 
Why  is  this  war? 


38  EVERYMAN 

WAR: 

'Tis  the  king's  will.     He  deems 
His  honor  has  been  slighted. 

EVERYMAN: 

Let  him  then 
Himself  avenge  that  honor. 

WAR: 

Such  is  not 

The  use  of  kings:  when  one  has  vexed  a  throne, 
The  humble  must  allay,  with  blood  and  tears, 
That  injury. 

EVERYMAN: 
What  folly!  I  go  not! 

WAR: 

Stay  then!    A  mightier  than  I  shall  come. 
And  at  his  summons  shall  you  hasten  forth. 
(££.) 

PARAMOUR: 

Good  riddance !     Now  be  seated  as  you  like. 
And  servants,  pass  the  wine  around.     Why  stand 
And  stare  so  strangely? 

(They  seat  themselves.) 

EVERYMAN: 

All  are  in  their  shrouds! 


EVERYMAN  39 

PARAMOUR: 
What  ails  you?     Are  you  ill? 

EVERYMAN: 

Ah-ha-ha-ha ! 

A  foolish  thought!     I'll  drink  a  cup  of  wine: 
It  clears  the  brain  of  mildew. 

PARAMOUR: 

Sit  you  down. 
Say  a  kind  word  to  them. 

EVERYMAN: 

Folk,  can  this  be 

The  house  you  sought?     You  all  look  strange  to  me. 
(Silence. ) 

THIN  COUSIN: 

Odds  Truth,  my  cousin  Everyman,  would  you 
That  we  go  hence  again? 

FAT  COUSIN: 

Easier  to  say 

Than  do,  when  you've  so  good  a  cook,  and  when 
The  blood  is  warm  with  wine.     I'm  happy  here! 

EVERYMAN: 

Well,  only  this:  it  popped  into  my  mind, 
As  you  came  in,  how  I  could  buy  you  up, 
Each  one,  and  then  sell  each  and  all  again, 
With  no  more  fuss  than  if  I  broke  an  egg. 


40  EVERYMAN 

A  GUEST: 
Why  this  rude  speech? 

A     MAIDEN: 

What  means  he? 
PARAMOUR: 

Is  this  meant 
Also  for  me? 

(Everyman  looJfs  at  her.) 

A  GUEST: 

Truly  a  rich  man's  speech, 
Insolent,  arrogant! 

PARAMOUR: 

Fearful  is  your  gaze, 

And  very  strange!     Why  punish  me  like  this? 
Oh,  speak! 

EVERYMAN: 

My  love,  far  be  it  from  my  thoughts 
To  punish  you!     I  love  you,  O  desire 
Of  all  my  soul!     I  did  but  chance  to  think 
How  that  sweet  face  would  look  and  how  you'd  act, 
If  you  were  told  that  I  this  hour  must  die. 

PARAMOUR: 

For  Christ's  dear  sake,  what  mean  you?     Dearest  one 
And  lover  true!     I  am  beside  you  now — 
Look  on  me,  who  indeed  am  yours  today 
As  I  shall  be  forever! 


EVERYMAN  41 

EVERYMAN: 

Did  I,  then, 

Request  that  you  stay  with  me  evermore, 
Be  my  companion  there  as  here?  would  you 
Go  with  me  to  that  final  place  and  share 
Mine  icy  bed?     It  would  be  pain  to  me 
If  this  dread  question  brought  you  to  my  feet, 
Fainting  and  senseless.     Yet,  if  still  I  tempt 
Your  faltering  steps  along  that  awful  path, 
Would  not  your  blood  stand  frozen  in  your  veins? 
Oh!  it  would  be  a  double  death  to  me — 
The  gall  and  vinegar  of  martyrdom — 
If  then  with  my  own  eyes  I  should  behold 
Your  vows  meant  nothing!     If  your  hands  unclasped 
From  these  cold  hands,  and  your  false  lips  withdrew 
From  mine,  refusing  me  the  final  kiss — 
Alas! 

(He  sighs.) 

PARAMOUR: 

Dear  guests  and  cousins,  my  beloved  seems 
So  strange  today!  I  know  not  what  to  do: 
Give  me  your  counsel. 

(Everyman  stares  in  front  of  him  and  removes  garland  from 
his  head.) 

See,  he  sits  aloof, 

Sadly,  and  says  strange  things.  Oh!  ne'er  before 
Saw  I  him  so.     I  know  not  what  befalls. 

THIN  COUSIN: 
Plague  take  this  silly  melancholia ! 
My  cousin,  'tis  but  that,  and  if  'tis  not, 


43  EVERYMAN 

Why,  what's  amiss? 

FAT  COUSIN: 

I  say  it's  all  within — 
A  dryness  of  the  brain.     My  sire  oft  had 
The  same  complaint.     Drink  bravely,  and  the  wine 
Will  moisten  the  dry  brain. 

A  MAIDEN: 

Put  in  his  wine 
Some  magic:  hellebore,  violets  or  hemp. 

FAT  COUSIN: 

Here,  boys!     Make  hot  the  wine,  so  that  it  steams! 
Put  cinnamon  and  ginger  in  it,  too! 

(At  the  back  they  maf(e  the  o?ine  g/on»  in  a  pan.) 

ANOTHER  MAIDEN: 

I've  heard  folks  say  there  is  a  magic  stone 
Found  in  the  swallow's  gizzard.     It  is  used 
By  great  physicians.     Chelidonius 
'Tis  called. 

THIN  COUSIN: 

No,  Chalcedon.     I've  heard  of  it: 
A  sovran  cure  for  melancholia. 

A  THIRD  MAIDEN: 

I  think  he  should  be  cured  by  sympathy. 
There  is  some  hidden  malice  here.     Were  my 
Beloved  ill  like  this  I'd  surely  try 
A  cure  of  mine. 


EVERYMAN  43 

SECOND  MAIDEN: 
What  would  you  try? 
THIRD  MAIDEN: 

It  is 

A  secret  that,  if  known  to  common  folk, 
Would  lose  its  charm. 

SECOND  MAIDEN: 

And  where  got  you  this  lore? 

THIRD  MAIDEN: 

Suffice  you  that  I  got  it.     Not  for  you 
The  secret!    But  I'll  whisper  in  her  ear. 
(Rises  and  whispers  in  Paramour's  ear.    At  the  same  time, 
further  dorvn  the  table,  several  talk  os  follows.) 

A  GUEST: 

All  this  is  from  high  living.     It  must  be 

His  blood's  too  thick.     A  poor  and  needy  man 

Would  not  have  melancholia. 

A  MAIDEN: 

Why  do  not 

Our  music-makers  drive  our  sorrow  hence 
With  mirth  of  trumpet  and  of  violin? 

ANOTHER  MAIDEN: 
Let's  sing!     The  sick  are  often  cured  that  way. 

A  GUEST: 
But  let  the  song  be  modest,  surely. 


44  EVERYMAN 

ANOTHER  GUEST: 

She 
Sings  only  gently,  and  with  tenderness. 

ANOTHER  GUEST: 

Know  you  the  song  beginning  in  this  wise? 
"In  sweetest  joys,  so  fly  the  hours."     Methinks 
Should  he  hear  that,  he'd  not  be  sick  for  long. 

FIRST  MAIDEN: 

No!  stop!  are  we,  then,  priests?     What  good  is  there 
In  holy  songs  for  us? 

GUEST: 

'Tis  not  a  priest's! 

The  very  watchmen  sing  it  on  the  walls 
At  sunrise. 

FIRST  MAIDEN: 

Well,  I  know  another  song 
Less  like  it. 

ANOTHER  MAIDEN: 
What? 
GUEST: 

(Kissing  her.) 
Oh!  "When  it  rains  it's  wet!" 

OTHER  MAIDEN: 

"The  woods  are  full  of  greenery. 
But  for  my  lover  I  am  sad. 


EVERYMAN  45 

He  rode  away,  my  darling  lad, 
And  who  in  songs  shall  woo  poor  me?" 

ANOTHER  GUEST: 

(Repeats  it  mockingly.) 
"Are  woods  so  full  of  greenery? 

And  where  is  your  beloved  gone?" 

(Meanwhile  Everyman  has  drunk  the  cup  of  hot  iptne,  and 
looks  happier.) 

EVERYMAN: 

Be  gay,  my  cousins  and  my  cherished  guests! 

I've  not  been  very  well,  but  this  good  wine 

Has  brought  me  to  my  senses.     Greeting  now. 

To  one  and  all !     It  was  as  though  my  heart 

Had  turned  to  very  lead,  but  stronger  now 

Burns  my  desire  to  live.     How  glad  am  I 

We're  all  together !     I  could  weep  for  joy, 

My  heart's  so  full.     I  have  no  words  for  it. 

This  world's  so  full  of  things  beyond  all  price. 

And  glad  am  I  to  be  amid  them.     Yes, 

Friendship  and  love :  the  two  are  worth  so  much ! 

He  who  has  both  needs  naught  beside.    Add  wine 

And  music's  voice,  and  lo!  the  cup  o'erflows! 

I  love  you  well,  sweet  guests,  and  pray  that  you 

Enjoy  the  moment  fully,  holding  close 

And  tenderly  your  dear  ones.     Ah!  make  use 

Of  this  fair  hour  with  all  your  faculties — 

With  hands  and  eyes  and  hearts  and  kissing  mouths! 

Let  me  not  need  entreat  you  more,  dear  guests! 

And  you,  beloved  cousin:  sing  to  us! 


46  EVERYMAN 

FAT  COUSIN: 

Alack!  alas!  my  skinny  brother's  called! 
Now  comes  the  eternal  song  about  "cold  snow!" 
(They  sing  with  laughter.) 

THIN  COUSIN: 

(Sings.) 

"Dear  Mrs.  Love,  hast  thou  no  concern? 
I'm  in  misery:  feel  me  burn! 
Cold,  cold  snow  indeed  thou  art, 
To  melt  with  the  fire  of  my  choking  heart! 
Dear  Mrs.  Love,  come  along  with  me, 
And  all  that  heart  shall  be  full  of  glee!" 
(All  sing.     The  dull  tolling  of  a  bell  is  heard.     Everyman 
pushes  his  glass  away.) 

EVERYMAN: 

What  bell  is  that?     It  can  mean  nothing  good, 
Methinks,  so  loud  and  fearsome  is  the  sound! 
Now  terror  strikes  my  heart!     Why  tolls  that  bell. 
And  at  this  hour? 

A  GUEST: 

I  hear  none,  far  or  near. 

ANOTHER  GUEST: 
Has  any  heard  the  sound  of  bells? 

A  MAIDEN: 

Of  bells? 
Who  talks  of  bells? 


EVERYMAN  47 

ANOTHER  GUEST: 

It  is  not  time  for  Mass. 
PARAMOUR: 
I  pray  you,  cease  not  singing! 

A  GUEST: 

Has  a  soul 
Heard  a  bell  ring? 

ANOTHER  GUEST: 

(Smiling.) 
Not  for  my  soul  it  rang! 

PARAMOUR: 

Let  not  the  song  be  interrupted,  friends ! 
EVERYMAN: 

I  prithee,  take  no  heed!     Now  all  is  well, 
Nor  hear  I  still  that  tolling. 

FAT  COUSIN: 

It  all  comes 

From  sluggish  blood.     I'll  order  swift  for  you 
Some  more  hot  wine. 

EVERYMAN: 

Thanks,  cousin!     Never  mind. 

(He  seats  himself  again.  Paramour  drafts  nearer  to  him. 
The  others  sing  at  the  foot  of  the  table:  "The  woods 
are  full  of  greenery,"  etc.  During  the  singing,  Every- 
man's Friend  comes  in  and  seats  himself  at  the  table. 


48  EVERYMAN 

Suddenly  many  voices  are  heard,  calling.) 

VOICES: 

Everyman !     Everyman !      Everyman ! 
EVERYMAN: 

(Jumping  up  full  of  fear.) 

0  God!  who  calls  for  me  like  this?     From  where 
Am  I  thus  called?     Ah!     never,  never  more 
Shall  joy  be  mine! 

FRIEND: 

Everyman,  I  am  here! 
PARAMOUR: 
See,  Everyman!  here's  your  dear  comrade! 

EVERYMAN: 

Oh! 

Tell  me,  dear  friend,  what  awful  voices  cry, 
And  call  for  Everyman  so  terribly? 

THIN  COUSIN: 

Some  echo  of  our  singing  caught  your  ear, 
EVERYMAN: 

Nay !  nay !  it  was  cried  fearfully  and  strong. 
Not  softly!     Thus:   "Everyman!      Everyman!" 
More  terrible  than  that:  familiar  'twas. 
Yet  strange,  as  from  the  kingdom  of  the  fiends. 
And  now,  because  my  soul  has  heard  that  cry, 

1  never  shall  be  comforted — ah,  nay! 

And  list!     Again!     Oh,  God!  hear  you  it  not? 
How  terribly  they  call  for  Everyman! 

( The  same  call  as  before  is  heard. ) 


EVERYMAN  49 

PARAMOUR: 
I  hear  no  voice. 

FAT  COUSIN: 

Nor  I. 
THIN  COUSIN: 

No  tiniest  echo ! 
FRIEND: 

(Goes  nearer  to  Everyman.) 
Your  ears  deceive  you.  You  are  ill  indeed. 
Should  you  not  now  retire? 

EVERYMAN: 

My  strength  returns. 

Beholding  you.     I  shall  not  hear  that  cry 
Again.     Be  seated,  friend!     Dear  guests,  feast  well, 
And  be  your  happiest!  Tomorrow  I 
Will  fare  to  the  physician,  that  this  ill 
Come  back  no  more. 

PARAMOUR: 

Yes,  sweetheart!     Promise  that! 
For  I  should  die  of  worriment  and  fear 
To  see  you  thus  again. 

(All  continue  feasting  and  making  love.     Everyman  rises 
anxiously.) 

EVERYMAN: 

Now,  for  God's  sake, 
My  dearest,  tell  me  why  the  lights  grow  dim, 


50  EVERYMAN 

And  who  that  is  who  comes  upon  me  now! 

No  mortal  being  paces  with  such  gait ! 

(Death  appears  in  the  distance.   Exeunt  most  of  the  guests.) 

DEATH: 

Ho!    Everyman!    And  is  your  heart  so  glad! 
Have  you  forgotten  utterly  your  God? 

EVERYMAN: 

What  ask  you  at  this  hour?     What  your  concern? 
Who  are  you  and  what  will  you? 

DEATH: 

I  am  sent 

From  your  Creator's  majesty  for  you — 
Sent  in  great  haste,  and  therefore  am  I  here! 

EVERYMAN: 

(Clutching  at  his  heart.) 
What!  sent  for  me? 

(With  scorn.) 

Indeed,  a  pretty  tale! 

DEATH: 

And  as  you  give  Him  little  reverence, 

So  He,  remembering  on  His  heavenly  throne. 

Shows  like  concern  for  you. 

EVERYMAN: 

(Following  him  with  downcast  eyes.) 

What  would  my  God 
Of  me? 


EVERYMAN  51 

DEATH: 

That  do  I  here  announce:  He  wills 
That  now  you  settle  your  account  with  Him. 

EVERYMAN: 

Oh!  I  am  ill-prepared  for  such  account! 
Nay!    Must  it  be?     Alas!  despair  is  mine! 
But  you — I  know  you  not:  declare  to  me 
Your  nature  and  your  title. 

DEATH: 

I  am  Death 
Each  man  I  summon,  and  no  man  I  spare. 

EVERYMAN: 

What!     Will  you  give  no  respite  even  to  me? 

And  worse:  to  catch  me  merry,  and  unwarned! 

Odds  truth!     You  do  not  play  the  game!     'Twill  bring 

You  little  honor.     Let  me  tell  you  now 

I'm  unprepared.     The  ledger  of  my  life 

Is  far  from  ready.     Give  me  ten  years  more. 

And  it  shall  be  in  order,  that  no  fear 

May  worry  me,  I  swear  to  you  on  God ! 

So,  out  of  God's  good  mercy,  let  me  stay 

And  put  accounts  in  order! 

DEATH: 

Neither  cries 

Nor  prayers  avail:  the  journey  must  be  made 
And  now. 


52  EVERYMAN 

EVERYMAN: 

O  God  of  mercy,  on  thy  th-rone, 
Have  pity  on  my  dire  distress!     O  Death, 
Shall  I  have  no  companion,  none  but  you, 
Upon  this  journey?     Must  I  leave  this  earth 
Without  a  comrade — I,  who  never  yet 
Have  been  without  companions  here  below  > 

DEATH: 

Companionship  ends  now.     Wring  not  your  hands: 
'Tis  useless.     Hasten!     Go  before  God's  throne 
And  know  your  just  deserts.     Poor  fool !  to  dream 
That  life  and  wealth  were  utterly  your  own! 

EVERYMAN: 
Indeed  I   thought  so  truly. 

DEATH: 

Nay,  not  so! 

Your  wealth  was  but  a  loan,  which  now,  you  gone, 
Another  shall  inherit;  and  full  soon 
That  other's  hour  shall  strike,  and  he  in  turn 
Shall  bid  farewell  to  all  and  wander  forth. 
Yea!      I  corne  quickly! 

EVERYMAN: 

Just  a  day!     This  night! 
This  hour  ere  sunrise,  that,  in  penitence 
I  may  hear  holy  words  and  be  prepared 
The  better  to  go  with  you ! 


EVERYMAN  53 

DEATH: 

Who  are  you 

To  ask  delay  of  Death?     Say  when  I  spared 
A  victim?     When  I  find  the  one  I  seek, 
Without  a  warning  swiftly  at  his  heart 
I  strike. 

EVERYMAN: 
Now  must  I  weep!     Alas! 

DEATH: 

To  weep 
Is  loss  of  time. 

EVERYMAN: 

Woe's  me!     How  now  shall  I 
Begin?     Ah!  had  I  but  a  little  hour — 
A  single  hour  to  find  a  comrade  in! 
To  think  that  I,  a  mother's  child,  must  go 
Alone  before  my  Judge! 

DEATH: 

Oh!  dream  you  then 

That  such  a  one  exists?     There  is  no  man 
But  would  refuse  such  service! 

EVERYMAN: 

Not  alone 

Before  the  Judge!     Ah!  grant  a  little  time. 
For  speech  and  counsel!     For  the  sake  of  Christ! 
For  God's  dear  mercy! 


54  EVERYMAN 

DEATH: 

Greatly  care  not  I, 

And  leave  you  for  a  space.     But  mark!     Waste  not 
A  second's  time,  but  use  it  carefully, 
As  best  becomes  a  Christian. 

(Becomes  invisible.) 

EVERYMAN: 

(Approaching  his  friend.) 

Dearest  friend. 
You  know — 

FRIEND: 

I  know  indeed,  good  Everyman, 
And  was  scarce  ten  feet  distant  when  Death  came. 
I  heard  all  things  you  talked  of,  and  my  heart 
Was  in  my  throat.     A  merry  man  you  were — 
Sound  to  the  core  until  this  fatal  day; 
But  gazing  on  you  now,  oh !  I  could  weep ! 

EVERYMAN: 
Accept  my  thanks,  good  friend. 

FRIEND: 

How  may  I  be 
Of  aid?     Tell  me  at  once! 

EVERYMAN: 

Truly  you  are 
A  faithful  friend:  I've  always  found  you  so. 

FRIEND: 
So  shall  you  ever  find  me!     Be  assured 


EVERYMAN  55 

That  were  your  journey  all  the  way  to  Hell, 
Here  will  you  find  a  fellow-traveler, 
Ready  to  go  with  you. 

EVERYMAN: 

Now  may  God  grant 
That  I  prove  worthy  of  a  friend  like  this! 

FRIEND: 

Speak  not  of  being  worthy!     It  were  shame 
If  words  alone  were  mine,  not  deeds. 

EVERYMAN: 

My  friend! 

FRIEND: 

Speak  freely  then.     Speak  frankly.     I  will  stand 
As  your  true  comrade  in  the  final  hour. 

(Everyman  is  about  to  open  his  mouth.) 
Sorely  your  sorrow  hurts  me.     May  all  cares 
Of  earth  decay!     Has  someone  injured  you? 
Then  must  you  be  avenged,  and  by  this  hand, 
Grasping  the  blade!     Yea!  though  I  die  for  it! 

EVERYMAN: 
Saint  Paul !     It  is  not  that. 

FRIEND: 

Then  must  it  be 

Your  wealth.     It  is  a  heavy  care  to  you, 
Since  you  lack  heir  of  your  own  blood. 


56  EVERYMAN 

EVERYMAN: 

Nay,  friend, 
It  is  not  that. 

FRIEND: 

No  need  for  many  words. 
For  you  have  trust  in  me:  the  will  you've  made 
Is  in  safe  hands,  I'm  sure,  and  leaves  your  wealth 
All  to  your  sweetheart. 

EVERYMAN: 

Nay,  my  best  of  friends! 
But  listen! 

FRIEND: 

Spare  your  tongue,  dear  Everyman, 
For  but  few  words  will  make  me  understand. 

EVERYMAN: 

A  very  different  matter  troubles  me — 
A  graver  thing  indeed ! 

FRIEND: 

Out  with  it  now. 
And  swiftly!     There  is  comfort  in  a  friend. 

EVERYMAN: 
Ah,  yes!     You  are  my  friend! 

FRIEND: 

Then  why  not  speak? 


EVERYMAN  57 

Perchance  your  time  drawn  short. 

EVERYMAN: 

Alas!     That  were 
Most  sorrowful  of  all! 

FRIEND: 

Then,  Everyman, 
Speak  promptly!     Else,  where  would  our  friendship  be? 

EVERYMAN: 

Ah!  if  I  opened  to  you  all  my  heart, 

And  your  turned  back  made  that  appeal  but  vain, 

Then  tenfold  were  my  sorrow  and  despair! 

FRIEND: 
That  which  I  say,  I  do! 

EVERYMAN: 

I  thank  my  Lord! 

A  far,  far  journey  is  ordained  to  me — 
One  long  and  difficult.     Nor  is  that  all; 
For  I  before  my  Maker  and  my  Judge 
Must  give  account  of  all  my  wealth  and  life. 
Wherefore  come  thou  with  me,  my  faithful  friend, 
As  lately  was  your  promise! 

FRIEND: 

God!  what's  this? 

To  make  and  break  a  promise — that  were  shame! 
I  blush  to  think  of  it. 


58  EVERYMAN 

EVERYMAN: 
My  friend! 
FRIEND: 

And  yet, 

Ere  start  of  such  a  journey  I  should  need 
Much  thought. 

EVERYMAN: 

Much  thought !     You  even  promised  me 
That,  dead  or  living,  you  would  leave  me  not. 
Although  the  road  led  straightway  unto  Hell! 

FRIEND: 

Aye !  aye !  such  was  my  speech,  with  hand  on  heart ; 
But.  truth  to  tell,  this  is  no  time  for  jests: 
The  occasion  is  most  serious.     Tell  me,  please: 
The  journey  started,  when  would  we  return? 

EVERYMAN: 

Oh !  never !  never !  till  the  Judgment  Day ! 
FRIEND: 

Then  by  God's  death,  if  that  the  message  was, 
Here  stick  I !     On  that  journey  go  I  not ! 

EVERYMAN: 

You  will  not  go? 

FRIEND: 

I  stay  here!     I  am  frank, 
You  know,  and  freely  tell  you  all  my  thoughts: 


EVERYMAN  59 

On  such  a  journey,  for  no  living  soul 

Would  I  go  forth!     Not  for  my  father's  sake, 

God  rest  him! 

EVERYMAN: 
Christ !  you  promised  otherwise ! 
FRIEND: 

Well  know  I  that  I  promised  you  to  go. 
And  in  good  faith  enough.     You  ever  were 
Good  company  where  women  are  concerned. 
And  were  such  sport  in  prospect,  I  should  fail 
You  never,  not  so  long  as  God  should  give 
Us  light  by  day  and  torches  light  by  night 
And  that's  the  truth! 

(Begins  to  go.) 

EVERYMAN: 

Now  does  my  need  begin 
Of  you!     Now  need  I  you  in  truth,  good  friend! 

FRIEND: 

Good  friends  or  no,  now  take  I  never  step 
Henceforth  with  you! 

EVERYMAN: 

(Taking  him  by  the  arm.) 

Nay,  for  God's  mercy  go 
A  little  way! 

FRIEND: 

(Tears  himself  an»ay.) 


60  EVERYMAN 

Not  I !     I  will  not  put 
One  foot  before  the  other!     No,  not  for 
New  festal  robes!     Had  you  more  time  to  spare, 
I  would  not  let  you  wait  alone:  as  'tis, 
I  cannot  tarry  longer. 

(Over  his  shoulder.) 

Heaven  grant 

A  speedy  trip,  and  at  the  journey's  end 
Your  best  well-being!     Now  must  I  make  haste! 

EVERYMAN: 

(A  step  after  him.) 

Whither  away,  my  comrade?     Would  you  leave 
Me  all  alone? 

FRIEND: 

What  else?     God  keep  your  soul! 
EVERYMAN: 

Farewell,  my  friend!     Heavy  my  heart  for  you! 
Your  health  for  aye!     We  shall  not  meet  again! 

FRIEND: 

You  too,  farewell,  O  Everyman!      Farewell 
Unto  the  last!     Your  hand!     Ah!  parting  hurts! 
I  know  that  now! 

(Exit.) 

EVERYMAN: 

Alas !  where  shall  I  find 

Help  in  this  world?     He  was  my  friend  so  long 
As  I  was  merry.     Now  full  plain  he  shows 


EVERYMAN  61 

His  little  sympathy.     Ever  I  had 

A  sense  of  this,  but  would  not  let  it  sway 

My  mind,  until  this  hour.     Now  falls  the  stroke. 

'Tis  always  thus:  so  long  as  Fortune  smiles 

One  shall  have  many  friends.     When  Fortune  turns 

Her  back,  then  watch  them  scatter!     Ah!  it  seems 

So  dreadful !     Fear  and  sorrow  choke  me !     Christ ! 

(Turns   to  Paramour.) 
Say  you  will  come  with  me! 

PARAMOUR: 

What,  go  with  you. 

And  youth  still  glad  and  singing  in  my  heart. 
And  beauty  still  supreme  on  face  and  form. 
And  all  life's  joys  to  lure  me?     Did  I  go 
I'd  lose  that  pleasure-garden  that  you  gave, 
And  all  the  thousand  raptures  of  my  days. 
I'll  dance  with  you  on  all  the  roads  of  bliss, 
But  on  the  Lonely  Road  I  will  not  go! 
So  ask  me  not.     Love's  over  now.     Farewell ! 

(£»«.) 

EVERYMAN: 

Ah,  God!     Was  ever  misery  like  mine? 
My  very  love  forsakes  me! 

(He  becomes  an»are  of  his  Cousins  near  by,  and  his  face 
lights  up.) 

But  there  stand 

My  blood  relations.     Cousins  dear,  pray  you. 
Remain  with  me!     You  have  come  just  in  time. 
There  is  no  lovelier  saying  in  the  world 
Than  this:  "Like  draws  to  like."     And  this  you  prove 


6a  EVERYMAN 

Today.     With  word  and  deed,  in  this  dark  hour. 
Be  you  my  boon  companions! 

FAT  COUSIN: 

Be  you  still 

My  cousin  Everyman!     And  that  is  all 
That  needs  be  said.     Be  kinsman  still  of  mine! 

EVERYMAN: 
You  will  not  leave  me? 

FAT  COUSIN: 

Not  a  word !     Who'd  dream 
To  leave  you  in  the  lurch?     That  were  a  shame! 

THIN  COUSIN: 

Whatever  fares,  deep  sorrow  or  full  joy, 
We  would  share  both  with  you. 

FAT  COUSIN: 

Ah!     True!     Well  said! 
You  see  how  faithfully  we  stand. 

EVERYMAN: 

Great  thanks, 
My  kinsmen! 

FAT  COUSIN: 
And  because  we  are  your  kin — 

EVERYMAN: 
You  saw  the  Messenger  that  came.     He  came 


EVERYMAN  63 

At  the  Great  King's  command. 

FAT  COUSIN: 

Yes,  yes,  I  know. 

Cousin  Everyman,  but  find  the  matter  such 
As  lies  beyond  my  mending. 

EVERYMAN: 

He  commands 
That  I  do  make  a  journey. 

FAT  COUSIN: 

So  'tis  told. 
EVERYMAN: 
And  from  this  journey — 

FAT  COUSIN: 

Now,  as  said  before, 
"Like  draws  to  like." 

EVERYMAN: 

And  from  this  journey  I, 
Full  well  I  know,  shall  nevermore  return. 

FAT  COUSIN: 

Never?     Well,  out  of  nothing,  nothing  comes. 

EVERYMAN: 
Dear  cousin,  hear  you  me? 

FAT  COUSIN: 

You  do  not  speak 


64  EVERYMAN 

To  one  who's  deaf. 

THIN  COUSIN: 

God's  truth,  that's  true  enough! 

EVERYMAN: 
I  never  shall  return! 

FAT  COUSIN: 

But  did  you  hear 
The  Messenger  aright? 

EVERYMAN: 
I?     Him? 

FAT  COUSIN: 

The  words 

He  said,  and  what  he  meant?     Did  you  catch  all 
Aright? 

EVERYMAN: 

Did  I ? 

FAT  COUSIN: 

Just  so!     That's  what  I  said. 
A  most  unwelcome  guest,  eh,  cousin? 

THIN  COUSIN: 

Yes! 
I  mean — I  pray  to  God — 

FAT  COUSIN: 

You  mean  the  same 


EVERYMAN  65 

As  I.     Yes,  as  I  said,  God  be  with  you, 
Everyman!  which  is  all  that  I  can  say! 

EVERYMAN: 

0  cousins,  stay  and  listen! 

THIN  COUSIN: 

Have  you,  then, 
Some  other  wish?     Announce  it,  cousin  dear. 

EVERYMAN: 

There  must  I  render  my  account,  and  find 
A  watchful  Enemy  whose  single  thought 
Is  my  destruction.     Ah!  with  all  your  ears 
Listen  to  me! 

FAT  COUSIN: 

But  tell  me — what  account? 

EVERYMAN: 

The  account  of  all  my  earthly  deeds,  and  how 
My  days  were  spent.     Yea!  and  what  sins  were  mine, 
By  night  and  day,  through  all  my  guilty  years. 
And  so,  for  Christ's  sake,  lift  your  hearts  in  prayer 
And  help  me  solve  this  thing! 

THIN  COUSIN: 

What!  do  you  mean 
The  road  afar?     Nay,  cousin  Everyman! 

1  go  not  as  your  fellow-traveler 
Thereon!     I  ralher  in  a  gloomy  cell 

For  all  my  years  would  live  on  prison  fare. 


66  EVERYMAN 

EVERYMAN: 

Oh!  that  I  never  had  been  born!     Oh!  never 
Shall  I  know  happiness  again  if  now 
You  twain  desert  me! 

FAT  COUSIN: 

Nay,  man!     What  is  this? 
Be  of  light  heart!     Assert  yourself!     Be  firm! 
I  tell  you,  once  and  for  all,  you  shall  not  drag 
Me  down  with  you ! 

(Starts  to  go.) 

EVERYMAN: 

(To  Thin  Cousin.) 

But  Cousin,  will  not  you 
Set  forth  with  me? 

THIN  COUSIN: 

Saint  Clare!     I  find  I've  got 
Cramp  in  the  toes — a  grievous  malady! 
It  came  a-sudden. 

FAT  COUSIN: 

(Remains  standing  and  speafys  over  his  shoulder.) 

Plague  us  not,  for  we 

Cannot  be  tempted!     I've  a  sweetheart  home 
Who  loves  to  travel:  she  might  suit  you  should 
You  see  her.     You  are  welcome  to  her.     She 
Might  go  with  you. 

EVERYMAN: 

Declare  now  your  intent! 


EVERYMAN  67 

Will  you  desert  me  in  my  misery? 

There's  this  one  thing  that  I  must  know:  will  you 

Go  with  me  or  go  not? 

FAT  COUSIN: 

I  stick  at  home. 

But  luck  to  you,  dear  Everyman!     God  speed. 
Until  we  meet  again! 

(Cousins  start  to  go.) 

EVERYMAN: 

O  Saviour  Christ! 

Are  all  things  at  an  end?     They  promised  me 
So  much!     And  now  they  break  their  plighted  word! 

THIN  COUSIN: 

(  Turns  and  approaches  Everyman. ) 
'Tis  not  our  use,  nor  seems  it  fair  and  right. 
To  ask  a  person  forth  on  such  a  trip. 
Your  body-servants  should  suffice:  ask  them. 
Your  kindred  should  be  far  too  dear  to  you. 

EVERYMAN: 

My  body-servants!     That's  a  fine  idea! 
What  use  are  they?     I  should  have  little  help 
From  them! 

(He  looJfs  around.) 
Is  there  an  end,  now,  to  the  feast? 
Have  all  the  revellers  left  the  banquet-hall? 
(He  goes  up  to  the  table.    A  few  who  are  sitting  and  drink- 
ing notice  him,  jump  up  and  flee.      The  table  disap- 
pears.) 


68  EVERYMAN 

Is  there  no  other  aid,  and  am  I  lost — 

Alone  in  all  the  world?     Has  God  so  planned? 

Designs  He  so,  that  I  be  wholly  stripped 

And  weak,  as  though  already  in  my  grave? 

I,  with  the  blood  still  warm  in  every  vein? 

I,  whom  my  servants  in  all  things  obey? 

I,  with  my  wealth  of  houses  and  of  gold? 

Up!    Sound  the  fire-alarm!     Ye  lazy  scamps, 

Loaf  not  about  the  house!     Come  quickly!     Come! 

{Steward  hastens  out  with  several  servants.) 
I  must  essay  a  journey  speedily — 
On  foot  at  that:  no  carriage.     All  must  go — 
These  servants.     All  my  money-coffers,  too. 
They  must  be  borne.     'Twill  be  like  going  forth 
To  war.     I'll  be  in  need  of  all  my  wealth. 

STEWARD: 
The  heavy  money-coffers? 

EVERYMAN: 

Yes!  Make  haste 
With  no  more  talk! 

(Servants  bring  chest  out  carefully.) 

I've  called  you  for  a  trip. 
And  see  you  show  obedience!     The  way 
Is  strange  and  very  far,  and  needs  thereon 
Only  the  most  trustworthy  folk.     This  is 
A  secret,  and  I  hope  you  keep  it  one. 

SERVANT: 
Painfully  heavy  is  this  chest! 


EVERYMAN  flg 

STEWARD: 

Obey 

The  master's  will ! 

EVERYMAN: 

Now  set  we  forth,  most  still 
And  secretly. 

(Death  comes  from  the  distance.) 

FIRST  SERVANT: 

Look!  look!     A  devil!     Look! 
He  signs  to  us  to  halt! 

STEWARD: 

Nay!  it  is  Death, 

The  dreadful  one!     In  all  his  power  he  comes. 
(Servants  leave  chest  standing  and  run.     Steward  runs  loo.) 

DEATH: 

O  fool!     Soon  comes  your  hour,  and  still  you  stand 
All  unprepared!     You  know  not  how  to  find 
The  right  companionship.     Soon  will  you  doubt, 
And  curse  yourself! 

(  Vanishes. ) 

EVERYMAN: 

O  God!  how  dread  I  death! 
Cold  is  my  brow  with  sweat  of  my  despair! 
Say,  can  the  soul  be  murdered  in  the  flesh? 
What  comes  on  me  swiftly?     I  have  found 
Some  comfort  ever  in  my  darkest  hours. 
And  ne'er  been  wholly  left  alone,  a  peor 


70  EVERYMAN 

And  pitiable  fool !     Ever  I  had 

A  rock  on  which  to  hold,  and  clung  thereto 

With  all  my  strength.     Are  all  my  powers  gone, 

My  mind  deranged  already,  that  I  fail 

To  know  me  who  I  am? — rich  Everyman, 

Who  thought  to  live  forever!      Everyman! 

This  is  my  hand  and  this  my  garment.     There 

My  treasure  stands,  the  gold  that  was  my  strength 

And  ever  swiftly  won  me  my  desire. 

Surely  before  mine  eyes  I  see  my  wealth: 

Could  I  remain  by  it,  no  fear  were  mine. 

No  grim  anxiety;  but  now,  alas! 

Sudden  I  realize  I  must  go  forth! 

The  messenger  was  here,  the  summons  cried, 

And  now  must  I  go  hence! 

(Throws  himself  on  the  chest.) 

Not  without  you! 

You  must  go  forth  with  me!     Oh!  not  for  aught 
Would  I  leave  you  behind!     You  must  go  hence 
With  me  unto  another  House!     So  come! 
Come  quickly  with  me  out  of  this! 

(Chest  springs  open.     MAMMON  rises  from  it.) 

MAMMON: 

Ho— ho! 

What  ails  you,  Everyman?     You  seem  to  be 
In  mighty  haste,  and  meanwhile  white  as  chalk! 

EVERYMAN: 

Who,  then,  are  you? 


EVERYMAN  7* 

MAMMON: 

You  know  me  not,  and  yet 

Would  drag  me  with  you?     Lo!    of  all  your  wealth 
Am  I  the  keeper — guard  of  all  you  own 
On  earth! 

EVERYMAN: 

Your  countenance  does  please  me  not, 
Nor  gives  me  bravery.     Yet  all  the  same 
Must  you  go  with  me. 

MAMMON: 

Where's  the  sense  in  that? 

What  needs  be  done,  that  can  we  here  perform. 
Behold  my  might!     Say  what  oppresses  you: 
Then  can  I  be  of  aid. 

EVERYMAN: 

'Tis  otherwise, 
This  time:  I  have  been  summoned. 

MAMMON: 

Yes— and  by?— 

EVERYMAN: 
(With  downcast  eyes.) 
There  came  for  me  a  Messenger. 

MAMMON: 

And  so 

For  that  you  must  go  hence?  A  messenger! 
And  come  to  summon  you!  A  sudden  thing! 
I  never  heard  the  like  before! 


72  EVERYMAN 

EVERYMAN: 

And  you 
Go  also:  thus  I  order! 

MAMMON: 

Not  a  step! 
I've  too  much  comfort  here. 

EVERYMAN: 

But  you  are  mine! 
My  all!     My  property! 

MAMMON: 

7  yours  P    Ha-ha ! 
Don't  make  me  laugh! 

EVERYMAN: 

You  would  rebel  ?     Vile  thing! 
Accursed  one! 

MAMMON: 

(Pushing  him  aside.) 

Be  not  too  sure  of  me: 

I  care  not  for  your  wrath!     The  thing's  reversed: 
I  am  the  giant  now,  and  you  the  dwarf! 
You  are  the  servant  now,  my  little  man! 
Dreamed  you  'twas  ever  otherwise?     That  were 
But  self-deception  and  a  fool's  idea. 

EVERYMAN: 
I  had  you  at  my  orders. 


EVERYMAN 


73 


Within  your  soul. 


My  servant. 


I  let  you  dance. 


And  slave. 


MAMMON: 

And  I  reigned 

EVERYMAN: 
You  were,  in  house  and  street, 

MAMMON: 
At  the  end  of  a  held  string 

EVERYMAN: 

You  were  my  body-servant 


MAMMON: 
No!  you  were  my  brave  jumping-jack. 

EVERYMAN: 
But  I  alone  dared  touch  you. 

MAMMON: 

I  alone 

Could  lead  you  by  the  nose.     Poor  knave !     Raw  fool ! 
Oh!   fool  of  fools?     Why  look  you,  Everyman: 
I  stay  behind  on  earth,  and  where  go  you? 
The  strength  I  placed  in  you,  the  giant  power. 
What  have  you  made  of  it? — a  spectacle, 
A  glittering  show,  a  fashioned  pompousness, 
A  lustful,  cursed  fury!     He  was  but 
A  bladder  blown  by  me,  and  that  he  soared 
And  still  can  soar,  is  due  alone  to  me. 


74  EVERYMAN 

This  is  what  gave  him  courage  to  exist. 

(Lifts  a  handful  of  money  from  chest,  and  lets  it  fall  back 
again.) 

Back  whence  it  came  it  falls:  there  also  ends 

Your  happiness!     Soon  too  your  senses  five 

Shall  wither,  till  you  know  me  not  again. 

I  was  but  lent  you  for  this  earthly  day. 

And  go  not  on  your  journey.     I?     Depart? 

Nay,  I  remain!     You  shall  go  forth,  alone. 

In  want  and  fell  despair.     In  vain  for  you 

The  stretching  out  of  hands!     In  vain  for  you 

To  wail  or  gnash  your  teeth!     You  shall  go  forth 

Naked  and  bare  as  when  you  reached  this  world ! 

(Bows  dorvn.  .Chest  shuts.  Everyman  speechless.  A 
long  pause.  GOOD  DEEDS  becomes  visible,  liffe  a 
sick  person  stretched  on  a  wretched  pallet.  She  raises 
herself  a  little  and  calls  in  a  feeble  voice.) 

GOOD  DEEDS: 

Everyman ! 

(He  pays  no  attention.) 
Do  you  not  hear  me,  Everyman? 

EVERYMAN: 

(To  himself.) 

It  is  as  though  one  called.     The  voice  is  weak, 
Yet  very  clear.     Now,  God  forbid  it  be 
My  mother!     She  is  feeble,  old  and  frail: 
May  she  be  spared  this  sight!  For  pity's  sake 
May  it  not  be  my  mother ! 


EVERYMAN  75 

GOOD  DEEDS: 

Everyman ! 
EVERYMAN: 

Oh!  be  it  who  it  may,  I  have  no  time 
For  worldly  matters  and  annoyances. 

GOOD  DEEDS: 

Do  you  not  hear  me,  Everyman? 

EVERYMAN: 

It  is 

Some  ill  and  weakly  woman.     What  care  I? 
At  such  a  time  she  must  fend  for  herself. 

GOOD  DEEDS: 

To  you,  O  Everyman!  do  I  belong. 
Behold  me  lying  here  because  of  you! 

EVERYMAN: 
How  can  that  be? 

GOOD  DEEDS: 

(Half  raises  herself. ) 

I  am  the  deeds  you  did. 
Behold  me! 

EVERYMAN: 

Mock  me  not,  for  at  this  hour 
I  am  a  dying  man! 

GOOD  DEEDS: 

Draw  near  to  me 


76  EVERYMAN 

This  little  way. 

(Sinfe  back.) 

EVERYMAN: 

Unwilling  gaze  I  no  IP 
Upon  my  mortal  deeds:  they  are  no  sight 
For  me. 

GOOD  DEEDS: 

Most  weak  am  I,  and  must  lie  here: 
Were  it  but  possible,  I'd  run  to  you. 

EVERYMAN: 

I  want  no  other  person's  cares.     I  have 
Enough  of  fear  and  misery  for  myself. 

GOOD  DEEDS: 

Yet  need  you  me.    The  way  is  fearsome  far, 
And  you  have  no  companion. 

EVERYMAN: 

I  must  go 
That  way  alone. 

GOOD  DEEDS: 

Nay !     I  will  go  with  you, 
For  I  am  yours. 

(Everyman  looffs  toward  her.) 

GOOD  DEEDS: 

It  is  great  grief  to  me, 
A  heavy  burden  on  my  soul,  that  you 
Have  given  me  no  thought,  since,  but  for  you, 


EVERYMAN  77 

I  could  move  swiftly,  and  in  all  events 
Be  at  your  side. 

EVERYMAN: 
(Goes  to  her.) 

Good  Deeds,  most  ill  it  fares 
With  me  this  hour.     Oh!  for  some  good  advice! 
For  any  aid! 

GOOD  DEEDS: 
(Tries  hard  to  raise  herself  on  her  crutches.) 

I  have  heard,  Everyman, 

That  you  before  your  Saviour  have  been  called 
And  the  tremendous  Judgment.  Go  not  forth 
Alone,  I  say,  unless  you  would  be  lost! 

EVERYMAN: 
Will  you  go  with  me? 

GOOD  DEEDS: 

Will  I  go  with  you? 
You  ask  me  that,  O  Everyman? 

EVERYMAN: 

(Gazing  into  her  eyes.) 

You  look 

At  me  so  longingly!     In  all  my  life 
Melhinks,  no  man  nor  woman — lover,  friend — 
Gazed  on  me  with  such  eyes. 

GOOD  DEEDS: 

Oh!  Everyman! 
That  you  at  this  late  hour  should  turn  unto 


78  EVERYMAN 

Mine  eyes  and  mouth! 

EVERYMAN: 

You  have  a  careworn  face. 
And  pale,  but  rich  in  loveliness  to  me. 
The  more  I  look  on  you,  so  much  the  more 
My  heart  is  moved.     Now  tender  are  my  thoughts. 
Yet  so  confused  I  do  not  know  myself. 
It  is  as  though  your  eyes  so  gleamed  that  they 
Could  lighten  mine.     Great  blessing  and  great  peace 
Would  come  to  a  poor  man.     But  surely  I 
Have  failed,  and  now  it  all  is  but  a  dream! 

GOOD  DEEDS: 

Had  you  but  known  I'm  not  unbeautiful, 
And,  faithful  at  my  side,  remained  away 
From  evil  and  the  world — draw  near,  my  voice 
Is  low — had  you  gone  out  among  the  poor, 
Full  brotherly,  in  reverence,  and  had  you 
Begun  to  cherish  holy  grief  and  pain. 
Your  heart  had  grown,  and  I,  so  feeble  now, 
I  should  have  been  transfigured  in  your  sight. 
This  would  have  been  to  you  a  heavenly  Cup, 
A  Chalice  with  God's  mercy  brimming  o'er. 
And  set  in  invitation  to  your  lips! 

EVERYMAN: 

Oh!  and  I  might  have  never  seen  your  face, 
So  blind  was  I !     What  creatures  of  the  dark 
Are  we,  alas!  when  such  can  be  our  doom! 

GOOD  DEEDS: 
I  was  a  chalice  set  before  your  sight — 


EVERYMAN  79 

A  chalice  filled  by  Heaven  to  the  brim. 
There  was  no  taint  of  earthliness  therein. 
And  therefore  seemed  I  little  in  your  eyes. 

EVERYMAN: 

Oh!  I  could  tear  them  out!     I  would  not  be 
So  fearful  of  the  darkness  then,  for  they 
Have  led  me  on  to  bitterness  of  woe, 
Falsely,  and  all  life  long. 

GOOD  DEEDS: 

Alas!  your  lips 

Must  now  be  parched  forevermore!     Your  thirst 
Desired  the  world  for  drink:  now  is  the  cup 
Refused. 

EVERYMAN: 

Therefore  do  I  already  feel 
Within  these  veins  a  thirst  more  terrible. 
My  senses  rave!     This  is  my  life's  reward! 

GOOD  DEEDS: 

So  bitter  is  repentance!     So  it  burns! 
These  are  the  sufferings  you  should  have  known. 
Could  now  your  heart  experience  them,  what  bliss 
It  were  for  us! 

EVERYMAN: 
(Prostrates  himself.) 

Let  me  be  ground  to  dust 
From  head  to  heel,  if  in  this  mortal  frame 
One  fibre  lives  that  cries  not  wild  with  woe 


8o  EVERYMAN 

And  deep  repentance!     To  re-live  my  days! 
But  no!     Another  chance!     It  cannot  be! 
Nay,  though  I  fear  and  shriek,  I  shall  not  live 
A  second  life!     Now  my  torn  bosom  knows. 
Unknown  till  now,  the  meaning  of  those  words, 
"Lie  down  to  die!     The  knell  has  struck!     All  ends. 

GOOD  DEEDS: 

(On  her  £nees.) 

Shall  this  repentance  flaming  and  immense 
Not  free  me  from  the  ground?     For  I  would  rise 
Unto  my  feet,  and  stand  by  him  this  hour! 

(Falls  to  ground.) 
Oh!  I  am  ill  and  feeble! 

EVERYMAN: 

O'er  our  deeds 

Merciless  justice  hangs!     Ah!  leave  me  not 
To  face  my  Judge  alone!     Not  that!     Not  that! 
Surely  I  should  be  lost!     Oh!  help  you  me 
To  render  my  account  to  Him  the  Lord 
Of  life  and  death,  King  of  Eternity! 
Else  am  I  lost  forever! 

GOOD  DEEDS: 
Everyman ! 

EVERYMAN: 
Leave  me  not  without  counsel! 

GOOD  DEEDS: 

Know  you  then 
I  have  a  sister,  gentle  but  austere. 


EVERYMAN  8i 

A  guide  from  guilt  to  mercy,  Faith  her  name. 
Let  us  appeal  to  her:  could  she  be  moved 
By  humble  prayer,  she  might  abide  with  you, 
And  with  you  go  before  the  throne  of  God. 

EVERYMAN: 
Hasten!     Time  flies!     For  God's  sake  summon  her! 

GOOD  DEEDS: 

It  may  be  she  will  turn  from  you,  and  then 
You  must  go  to  the  grave  uncomforted. 
Yet  would  she  give  you  of  her  help,  could  you 
Talk  with  her  rightly. 

EVERYMAN: 

If  one  had  no  tongue, 
Fear  and  necessity  would  give  him  one. 
(FAITH  enters.) 

GOOD  DEEDS: 

Needless  were  it  to  talk  so  loud.     I  feel 
My  sister  comes.     Dear  sister,  deep  distress 
Is  on  this  mortal:  will  you  stay  with  him 
At  death?     For  all  my  strength  goes  out  of  me. 
Feeble,  I  cannot  aid  him  in  his  need. 
(Falls  back.) 

FAITH: 

(To  Everyman.) 

For  all  your  life  have  you  held  me  in  scorn. 
Scorning  God's  word  as  well.     Now,  at  death's  hour. 
Is  there  a  different  tenor  to  your  speech? 


8a  EVERYMAN 

EVERYMAN: 
I  believe!     I  believe! 

FAITH: 

The  speech  is  poor! 
EVERYMAN: 

0  God!  have  mercy!  deeply  I  believe 
In  the  twelve  articles  and  all  that  they 
Embrace!     Established  are  they  unto  me, 
And  holy! 

FAITH: 

'Tis  the  poorer  part  of  faith: 
Build  not  too  much  on  such  a  penitence. 
Have  you  so  poor  contrition? 

EVERYMAN: 

I  believe 

In  God's  long  sufferance,  if  one  repent 
In  time.     But  I  am  sunk  so  deep  in  sin 
His  mercy  cannot  reach  me. 

FAITH: 
(Takes  a  step  nearer  him.) 

Are  you.  then, 

So  deeply  drowned  in  lust,  so  steeped  in  sin, 
That  now  your  lips  are  barren  of  the  word 
Which  might  forever  save  your  forfeit  soul? 
(Kneels  before  him.) 

EVERYMAN: 

1  believe! 


EVERYMAN 

FAITH: 

Do  you  believe  in  Jesus  Christ, 
Come  to  us  from  the  Father?     Like  ourselves 
A  mortal  man,  of  mortal  woman  born, 
Who  for  your  sake  poured  out  His  precious  blood 
And  has  arisen  from  the  dead,  that  you 
With  God  His  Father  might  be  reconciled ! 

EVERYMAN: 

Yea!     I  believe!     All  this  He  did  for  us, 

He  calmed  His  Father's  wrath,  and  on  the  Cross 

Died  in  His  blamelessness,  to  bring  mankind 

Salvation  everlasting.     Yet  I  know 

The  good  alone  shall  take  avail  of  this, 

Whose  righteousness  and  piety  shall  gain 

For  them  the  life  eternal.     But  behold 

My  deeds!     Alas!  the  mountain  of  my  sins 

Crushes  me  down!     God  cannot  pardon  me. 

Being  the  All-High  Judge! 

FAITH: 

And  are  you  such 

A  doubting  Christian?     Know  you  not  the  depth 
Of  God's  great  mercy? 

EVERYMAN: 

Surely,  terribly, 
God  punishes! 

FAITH: 
He  pardons  without  measure! 


84  EVERYMAN 

EVERYMAN: 

Pharaoh  He  slew!     On  Sodom  and  Gomorrah 
Rained  He  His  fire! 

FAITH: 

And  gave  His  only  Son 

To  this  sad  world.     From  Heaven  He  sent  Him  forth 
That  He  be  born  a  man,  and  so  no  man 
Be  lost — that  one  and  all,  e'en  to  the  last 
Might  find  eternal  life.     "Lo!  I  am  come," 
He  said,  "to  save  the  sinner,  and  not  him 
Who  needeth  no  repentance!"     So  He  spake 
Who  cannot  lie.     If  you  believe  ere  death 
Then  is  your  sin  forgiven,  and  God's  wrath 
Is  stilled. 

EVERYMAN: 

Your  words  are  gentle.     Oh!  I  feel 
As  I  were  born  anew !     So  long  as  I 
Draw  breath  on  earth,  so  long  do  I  believe 
That  through  the  Christ  our  Lord  I  may  be  saved ! 

FAITH: 

Because  you  do  believe,  go  hence  and  wash 
Your  soul  from  sin! 

EVERYMAN: 
Where  is  there  such  a  Spring 
Oh  holy  water?     Oh!  to  reach  it  soon! 

(A  Monff  becomes  visible  above.) 

FAITH: 

A  holy  man  awaits  you,  by  whose  help 
Your  soul  shall  yet  be  purified.     Return, 


EVERYMAN  85 

This  done,  clad  all  in  white,  and  I  will  take 

Your  hand  and  go  with  you — I,  you,  good  deeds! 

So  shall  you  gain  in  strength. 

EVERYMAN: 

(On  his  knees.) 

Eternal  God! 

Oh!  Beatific  Vision!     Road  of  Truth, 
And  heavenly  Light!     Here  at  my  final  hour 
I  cry  to  Thee,  and  wailing  fills  this  mouth! 
O  Savior  dear,  pray  my  Creator  now 
That  He  be  merciful  unto  the  end. 
When  the  dark  Enemy  draws  near  from  Hell 
And  Death's  appalling  clutch  is  at  my  throat! 
Pray  that  He  take  my  soul  above,  that  I 
Through  thy  sweet  intercession  may  approach, 
O  Christ,  thy  seat  at  His  right  hand,  and  go 
With  Him  in  glory!     Let  this  be  my  pray'r. 
For  thou  upon  the  Cross  hast  saved  our  souls! 
(He  lies  in  prayer  upon  his  face.     Organ  sounds  louder;  at 
the  same  time,  in  the  darkness,    Everyman's    Mother 
crosses  over,  as  to  early  Mass,  her  servant  carrying  a 
torch.     She  pauses.) 

SERVANT: 

Madame,  why  stand  you  still,  and  at  this  hour? 
What  ails  you?     Are  you  ill?     Were  it  not  best 
That  you  return  unto  your  home  and  bed 
Than  hasten  to  this  early  Mass? 

EVERYMAN'S  MOTHER: 

Are  we 


86  EVERYMAN 

So  late?     Is  Mass  beginning  now?     I  hear 
Marvellous  ringing,   as  though  angels  sang. 

SERVANT: 

In  no  wise  are  we  late,  nor  do  I  hear 
Sounds  loud  or  low. 

EVERYMAN'S  MOTHER: 

I  hear,  and  in  my  heart 
I  know  they  are  the  angelic  songs  that  rise 
About  God's  throne !     It  is  for  my  dear  son ! 
At  this  good  hour  his  soul  is  healed,  and  he 
Is  reconciled  unto  the  Lord  our  God. 
Now  joyously  and  willingly  I  die. 
My  prayer  is  heard.     I  know  that  I  shall  stand 
Before  my  God,  before  my  Savior's  throne. 
And  find  my  dear  son  there.     Now  lettest  Thou 
Thy  servant  journey  forth  in  peace !     Amen ! 

SERVANT: 

Madame,  will  not  you  come?     Time  flies.     'Tis  dark! 
(They  pass  on.) 

FAITH: 

May  God  be  with  you,  Everyman!     And  as 
I  call  you  forth  this  hour  and  bid  you  go 
Before  your  Saviour,  so  be  your  account 
Made  errorless,  and  free  from  earthly  guilt. 

GOOD  DEEDS: 

Alas !     I  fain  would  rise  but  am  too  weak ! 

(Enter  DEBTOR  and  WORKMAN.) 


EVERYMAN  87 

DEBTOR: 

Now  suffer  that  we  help  you  rise. 

WORKMAN: 

Our  limbs 
Are  strong,  yours  feeble. 

GOOD  DEEDS: 

Who  am  I  that  you 

Should  aid  me  now?     Am  I  not  strange  to  you? 
Have  I  been  kind  to  you  that  you  to  me 
Should  proffer  kindness?     It  is  in  my  heart 
That  you  have  had  but  wrongs  from  Everyman. 

DEBTOR: 

Hard  was  his  hand  on  me,  but  now  a  Hand 

More  terrible  is  on  him:  I  forgive, 

For  that  is  first  among  a  Christian's  needs. 

WORKMAN: 

We  toilers  are  a  poor  and  simple  folk, 
Nor  hoard  our  wrongs,  but  cheerfully  forgive. 
(Good  Deeds  throws  her  crutches    ar»a\)   and    approaches 
him. ) 

FAITH: 

O  Everyman,  prepare  yourself  for  joy! 

For  now  in  truth  are  your  good  deeds  made  straight, 

And  free  from  all  the  burden  of  your  sin! 

GOOD  DEEDS: 
See!     It  is  I  your  friend,  O  Everyman! 


88  EVERYMAN 

I  bless  you,  who  have  freed  me  from  my  pain. 
And  will  go  with  you,  wheresoe'er  it  be. 

EVERYMAN: 

Ah !  dear  Good  Deeds !     I  weep  for  very  joy 
To  hear  your  voice ! 

FAITH: 

Now  must  you  sorrow  not. 
Nor  longer  weep.      Nay!   now  indeed  rejoice. 
And  show  a  happy  spirit.     From  His  throne 
God  sees  you  healed. 

EVERYMAN: 

I  seek  no  more  delay 

Nor  lingering.     My  friends,  we  shall  go  forth 
Together,  for  I  shall  not  part  from  you. 
(He  goes  up  and  follows  after  monk.    Faith  and  Good 
Deeds  persist  in  praying.) 

DEVIL: 

(Comes  bounding  in.) 

Hold,  Everyman!     Stop,  Everyman!      Halt,  halt! 
Come  hither,  comrade!     Here  I  stand,  who  came 
To  fetch  you.     I  am  here.     Ho,  Everyman! 
He's  gone  within!     He  must  be  very  deaf. 
And  in  both  ears!     Why  enters  he  that  house? 
Ye  others,  hale  him  forth,  and  I  meanwhile 
Will  wait  outside.     Catch  him  and  bring  him  here! 
It  may  be  he  will  keep  me  waiting  long. 
Let  him!     I  fear  not  that:  he's  in  my  clutch, 
Body  and  soul,  as  never  man  before. 


EVERYMAN  89 

FAITH: 
Hold! 

DEVIL: 

(Does  not  hear.) 
I  must  pass! 

FAITH: 
Not  here  the  way! 
DEVIL: 

It  is. 

For  I  have  business  there. 

FAITH: 

Here  for  your  kind 
There  is  no  way. 

DEVIL: 

A  woman,  quarrelsome! 
I  can  evade  her. 

FAITH: 

(Gets  in  his  ivap  again.) 
Here's  no  way  for  you ! 

DEVIL: 

On  business  must  I  stand  beside  yon  door. 
So  that,  when  he  I  seek  comes  forth,  I  then 
Can  take  him  with  me  on  a  certain  way. 

FAITH: 
I  will  not  argue  with  you. 


90  EVERYMAN 

DEVIL: 

Nor  will  I 
With  you.     But  I  will  pass. 

GOOD  DEEDS: 

Here  is  no  way 
For  you. 

DEVIL: 

(Closes  up  his  ears.) 
Noise!     Noise!     A  pest! 

GOOD  DEEDS: 

(Gets  in  his  Ufa]).) 

No  way! 

DEVIL: 

No  way? 

No  way?  Is  there  no  way?  No  ground  on  which 
My  feet  may  stand?  No  place  to  leap?  Then  I 
Forthwith  will  make  a  way! 

(Tries  to  go  through  by  force.) 

FAITH: 

(Stepping  forward.) 

Would  you,  then,  use 

Your  very  fists?     Disturb  our  holy  pray'rs? 
Behold  who  comes  to  aid  us! 

(Angel  comes  from  above.) 

DEVIL: 

Ha-ha-ha! 

So  all  our  gentle  friends  are  in  the  game! 
They  whose  sole  task  it  is  to  lounge  and  gape. 


EVERYMAN  91 

From  morn  till  nightfall,  while  their  betters  go 

About  their  duty  with  all  urgency, — 

With  eagerness  and  great  expense  of  strength! 

(Good  Deeds  and  Faith  do  not  loolf  at  him,  but  prop  v>ith 

folded  hands.) 

Hell's  bottom!      Is  there  any  doubt  in  this? 
Shall  there  be  argument?     Incredible! 
Lives  there  on  earth  a  soul  that  would  deny. 
Here  to  my  face,  this  man  is  lost  to  me? 
This  mighty  glutton!     This  great  tank  of  wine! 
This  woman-hunter  and  adulterer! 
This  tempter,  loose  in  word  and  deed,  with  less 
Belief  than  a  black  heathen  has,  and  more 
Forgetful  of  his  God  than  are  the  brutes 
Of  field  and  stye!     This  waster  of  the  goods 
Of  widows  and  of  orphans!     This  oppressor! 
This  hater! 

(Springs  up.) 

Where  are  words  to  picture  him? 
They  fail  me,  such  a  sinful  beast  is  he! 
Yet  they  refuse  him  to  me,  when  that  I 
Would  grasp  him,  twist  his  neck,  and  yell  to  him: 
"Abase  thee,  mortal  clay,  and  die!"     Yea!  thus 
Cold-bloodedly  I'd  wait  for  him,  and  seize 
His  soul  for  Hell!     And  shall  you  then  not  fear 
My  wrath,  my  gnashing  jaws,  my  doubled  fist? 
Shall  you  not  see  that  justice  and  the  right 
Stand  armed  at  my  side? 

FAITH: 

At  your  side 

None  stands.      You  have  already  lost  the  game, 
And  God  ere  now  has  balanced  in  His  scales 


92  EVERYMAN 

The  penitence  and  debt  of  Everyman, 
To  find  what  should  eternally  be  paid. 

DEVIL: 

How  shall  that  be?     Shall  then  an  hour  outweigh 

The  habits  of  a  life?     Shall  one  wax  fat. 

And,  calmly  and  deliberately,  base 

His  life  on  sin,  and,  day  and  night,  upbuild 

The  ramparts  of  his  guilt,  then,  at  the  last, 

Find  the  substantial  and  considered  pile 

A  thing  a  single  blow  can  overwhelm? 

FAITH: 

Yea !  thus  Repentance  works !     She  has  a  strength, 
A  fire  to  recreate  the  ruined  soul 
From  sin's  own  dust  and  ashes! 

DEVIL: 

Woman's  tricks 

And  chatter!     Wash  my  fur  and  wet  it  not! 
Wish-washy  twaddle!     I  could  spit  with  hate! 
Proofs!  Proofs!  Give  proofs!  Show  me  one  word  or  deed 
To  put  him  in  the  right  before  a  judge! 

FAITH: 

Before  that  Judge  to  Whom  he  goes  today. 
Your  right  would  go  for  nothing.     It  is  based 
On  earthly  fraud  and  pretense,  and  by  Time 
Has  limitation,  tangled  in  Time's  mesh .... 
Where  ring  those  bells? 

(One  heart  from  rvithin  the  death-bells.   .Good  Deeds  and 
Faith  fall  to  their  £nees.) 


EVERYMAN  93 

GOOD  DEEDS: 

Eternity  begins! 

DEVIL: 

(Closing  his  ears.) 

Enough!     I  quit!     O  leave  him!     I  go  home! 
Pamper  your  pet!      I  shudder  with  disgust! 

(Good  Deeds  and  Faith  have  raised  themselves.) 
A  happy  case,  as  clear  as  day,  and  yet 
A  hair  is  in  the  soup,  and  all's  a  waste! 
Fearless  and  merry  step  I  to  the  front 
And  call  me  heritor  of  this  damn'd  soul, 
To  hear:   "No  thoroughfare!      No  thoroughfare!" 
Prison  and  lash  to  you,  you  long-robed  things! 
The  very  heathen  had  allowed  my  claim — 
It  would  have  been  mere  justice!     Now  they  shout: 
"No  thoroughfare!" — these  women!     Hell  is  hot, 
And  here  he  comes  white-robed,  arch  hypocrite! 
And  whining  for  his  sins !     The  world  is  bad, 
Stupid  and  mean!     Here  might  alone  is  right! 
The  world  is  rank  injustice,  and  full  oft 
Would  injure  us  sincere  and  clever  folk!     (Exit 

Everyman  comes  from  above,  in  long  white  robe, 
a  pilgrim's  staff  in  his  hand,  and  his  face 
deathly  white,  but  transfigured.    Approaches  the  two.) 

GOOD  DEEDS: 

See  I  not  Everyman  draw  near?     'Tis  he! 

He  has  made  peace  with  God,  and  strengthened  us 

For  a  sure  flight  to  Heaven. 


94  EVERYMAN 

EVERYMAN: 

Give  me  now 

Your  hand.     I  have  received  the  sacrament. 
Blessed  be  you  that  have  done  this  for  me 
And  given  me  your  counsel!      Oh!   be  thanked 
That  you  so  faithfully,  with  fervent  pray'r, 
Have  waited  for  me!     Let  us  now  begin, 
Our  journey.     Lay  you  each  upon  this  staff 
A  hand,  and  follow  me  unto  the  grave! 

GOOD  DEEDS: 

From  off  this  staff,  until  the  journey's  end, 
I  will  not  lift  my  hand! 

FAITH: 

By  you  I  stand 
As  once  by  Judas  Maccabeus! 

(The})  go  up.   .Death  has  appeared  and  goes  behind  them 
They  stand  at  the  grave.) 

EVERYMAN: 

(Shuts  his  eyes.) 
Now 

Must  I  go  to  the  midnight  of  the  grave! 
My  God,  be  merciful  to  me! 

FAITH: 

I  stand 
Faithful  to  you. 

GOOD  DEEDS: 
I  too  come,  Everyman. 


EVERYMAN  95 

EVERYMAN: 

God  and  His  holiness  be  with  me  now! 
On  Him  I  cry  for  mercy! 

GOOD  DEEDS: 

(Helps  him  into  his  grave  and  then  goes  to  him.) 

Let  the  end, 

O  Lord!  be  peaceful  unto  us  who  come 
To  Thy  pure  Realm  of  joy! 

EVERYMAN: 

(In  grave.   Only  head  and  shoulders  visible.) 

Because  that  you 

Have  ransomed  me,  care  for  my  soul,  that  I 
May  not  be  lost,  but  on  the  final  Day 
May  join  with  you  the  ranks  of  the  redeemed! 

FAITH: 

Now  ends  his  earthly  fate!     Naked  and  bare 
He  goes  before  his  Judge.     His  deeds  alone 
Shall  welcome  him  and  be  his  witnesses. 
Methinks  I  hear  angelic  voices  sing, 
Afar  and  clear,  as  in  their  heavenly  Home 
They  bid  the  poor  soul  enter  unto  peace! 
(Angels  singing.) 

The  End. 


1    WC 


University  of  California 

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